As a child, were you intrigued by the attractive advertisements in your comics? You know what I mean, devices that would allow you to see in corners or hear conversations through walls? We couldn’t resist the appeal, especially since they only cost a dollar or two. Before we knew it, we would be sealing our hopes, as well as our money, in an envelope, eagerly awaiting the day when our special spy toys would arrive in our mailbox.

Since those days, we’ve enjoyed spy thrillers and countless crime shows on television, where investigators employ every trick in the book to solve the latest case. We are amazed at the speed and precision of intricate lab work, digital enhancements, and computer imaging. As avant-garde as all of this is, there are some techniques that have been around for a long, long time.

Have you ever tried using invisible ink as a kid? This was a fun thing to do that qualified at the height of magic and card tricks. By mixing a special ink from milk, lemon juice or sugar water, your secret message would only be visible when the paper was heated. Invisible ink is still used today, but instead of exposing the message to heat, a prescribed wavelength of ultraviolet light is used.

We have all heard of spy satellites circling the globe to collect information from above the earth. Before satellites, airplanes were used for intelligence missions in WWII, allowing military leaders the opportunity to monitor allied and enemy movements. It is amazing to think that even in the American Civil War, both sides of the conflict floated observation balloons to observe the location of their own and enemy troops.

The movies are ripe with many measures taken by spies as they alter their appearance so as not to be recognized. We have seen hair cut and dyed, women dressed as men, and in one case, in 1754, the Chevalier d’Eon de Beaumont was sent to Saint Petersburg posing as Mademoiselle Lia de Beaumont. As unlikely as it may seem, the ploy worked, and Tsarina Elisabeth was persuaded to give up on a strategy with Britain and side with Austria and France.

In some old movies, we see bandages slowly unwinding on a surgically rearranged face. Or in some movies, full latex masks with attached hair completely change a character’s facial appearance. Today, with the use of facial recognition software, spies may have to forgo a mask or a simple makeover and go back to plastic surgery once again.

Today, digital technology has resulted in devices that are so small and effective that the modern spy can rely primarily on collecting information remotely. Unless the agent absolutely has to, there is no need for elaborate costumes. The devices can simply be attached and activated, which means that we can all become spies if necessary.

Almost any everyday item can be used as a camera. A lamp, calculator, or smoke detector may have a small camera inserted, so that photos can be taken without the slightest hint of what is happening. Spy cameras can help protect your business and your home. They can also keep people honest. Just knowing that areas are being monitored makes us all safer.

There are devices that can be installed on your computer to monitor what is being watched and the messages that are being sent and received. The SIM card can be removed from a cell phone and inserted into a special device that displays all deleted text messages. All of these items have become completely affordable, easy to get and use.

One really exciting development is the GPS tracker. With a personal tracker, you can monitor your children, making sure they are safe at all times and knowing their location if they suddenly need help. Then there is another version that you can use for your vehicles. Auto theft is rampant and on the rise. If one of your cars is stolen, this device will greatly assist the police in returning your property to you.

Now that you are an adult, with property and loved ones to protect, isn’t it comforting to know that spy devices are still available? This time, however, you won’t need to consult the last pages of your comic. Today, with just a few clicks of the mouse, you can access online spy shop catalogs and order some great spy gadgets from the comfort of your computer.