I'm a journalist with a regular column on security gadgets for an art
security magazine. In 2 days I have a deadline for a story on
microphotograhy, then the next column will be on james bond style
gadgets. could you please find me the details of a few companies
selling james bond style (vaguely) security related gadgets and also
some companies providing microphotograhy solutions (for marking
property so it can be identified if stolen etc).

Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by thx1138-ga on 28 Aug 2002 06:28 PDT

Hi billbryson and thanks for the question,

Could you clarify one point please.  In your question you mention
microphotography in the context of "marking property so it can be
identified if stolen etc"  I know microphotography can be used for
storing images/documents to help identify them if stolen and then
recovered, but I canīt see how you can use microphotography to "MARK
property" could you explain the "marking" part of your question
please.

 Many thanks.

---

Clarification of Question by billbryson-ga on 28 Aug 2002 07:21 PDT

Sorry, you are probably right, microphotograhy isn't used to mark
things, but to ID them in a non-intrusive way. Sorry for confusion - I
was asked to write on the subject and clearly don't know anything
about it ; ). Anyway, please try and find some companies who do
microphotograhy. Thanks!

Hi billbryson, thanks for the question and the clarification. 

“Definition of Terms 
Microfilm (microphotography): Microfilm is a method of reproducing
images of records at greatly reduced size on photographic film.
Microfilm can be processed and maintained in several forms: roll film;
cartridge, magazine, or cassette; fixed image microfiche, updatable
microfiche, or ultrafiche; microjacket; and aperture card.”
http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/policies/bfb/rmp6.html

"contains over 35 pages covering the history of microphotography"
http://www.ggbaker.com/

---------------------------------------------------

"Companies who do microphotograhy":

“Microfilming, also called microphotography, consists in the reduction
of images to such a small size that they cannot be read without
optical assistance. “
http://www.heritagemicrofilm.com/default.asp?ContentID=16
http://www.heritagemicrofilm.com/

"American Micrographics & Imaging"
*Kodak Document Conversion Center
*Microfilming & Micro Publishing
*Equipment Rentals & Repair
*Hybrid Microfilm Systems
*New & Reconditioned Equipment
*C.O.M. (Computer Output Microfilm)
*Kodak Disaster Recovery Services
http://www.americanmicrographics.net/

"Our expertise is in the field of microphotography and electronic
imaging"
http://www.documentimaginggroup.com/

"ALOS is a world leader in micrographics with a heritage of over 50
years in producing photo-technical equipment. "
http://www.alosusa.com/products/micrographics/default.htm

"American MicroImaging, inc. (AMI) was founded as a microfilm service
bureau in 1968"
http://www.amibusiness.com/

"MICROFILM... DIRECT FROM THE MANFACTURER TO YOU" 
http://www.microfilmasap.com/

"Benefits of our microfilm processing service:"
http://www.vimagetech.com/products/dataconversion/

"microfilm camera"
http://www.agfa.com/mds/microfilm/products/docscanner/microfilmcameras.html

"Crowley Micrographics is a full service imaging company providing
electronic imaging and microfilming equipment sales and services. We
distribute a wide variety of scanning and microfilming equipment."
http://www.crowleymicrographics.com/

----------------------------------------------------

007 type equipment:

For example  "Word's Smallest Digital Recorder"
http://www.spystuff.com/

"The Covert Pen Camera"
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/reviews/jump/0,23009,3381928,00.html 
"Covert Neck Tie Camera"
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/reviews/jump/0,23009,3381929,00.html

"Video sunglasses camera"
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/products/story/0,24330,3371321,00.html

"Stun gun cellphone"
http://www.gigamight.com/products.shtml

Various
http://www.kopes.com/gadgets/spygadgets.htm

Various
http://www.spysite.com/

007īs watch
http://www.chronocentric.com/omega/bond.shtml#bond
and you can buy the watch here for $1,590:(minus lazers, cutting
discīs etc.. :)
http://www.bidtheewell.com/promos/ct13228.html

Everything you need for picking locks
http://www.1lockpickhq.com/displaysection.asp?which=2

"James Bond's Gadgets" (From the films)
http://00heaven.org/films/gadgets.htm

Powered Hang glider
"$12,000 includes shipping and ballistic (compressed air rocket)
reserve chute!"
http://www.hangglidingmaui.com/trike_for_sale.php

And if you really want to be "Bond" then you MUST have an 
Aston Martin DB5. You should be able to pick one up for around 
$110,000-$160,000. 
http://www.sportscarmarket.com/mp/0207-eng.php

Thank you for the question, and if you need any clarification of my
answer please do not hesitate to ask!


THX1138


Search strategies included:
bond gadgets 007
://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&ie=ISO-8859-1&as_qdr=all&q=bond+gadgets+007&lr=

microphotography microfilm
://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&ie=ISO-8859-1&as_qdr=all&q=microphotography+microfilm&lr=

---

Clarification of Answer by thx1138-ga on 28 Aug 2002 10:50 PDT

Hello again billbryson,

a fellow researcher (bethc-ga) also found these links which might be
of use to you:


This museum security website: 
http://www.museum-security.org/collectors-or-criminals.htm 

has some interesting information, and lead me to: 
http://www.gurrjohns.com/ 

as being a company that does microphotography work, but did not
immediately see anything on their site.
http://www.advimagingandanalysis.com/services.html 

And here is a spy gadget seller that I came up with: 
http://shadow-chasers.com/sog/ 



Best regards

THX1138  (thank you bethc-ga!)

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Request for Answer Clarification by billbryson-ga on 28 Aug 2002 13:04 PDT

oops, i made a very dum mistake. i forgot to say i was looking for
'UK' based people who do microphotograhpy. If you could just find one
or two uk based companies i'd really appreciate it. Don't worry
though, the excellent info you've given is all very useful and I will
of course accept/pay whether you can find a uk one or not. great bond
gadgets by the way!

---

Clarification of Answer by thx1138-ga on 28 Aug 2002 13:38 PDT

Hello again billbryson,

Donīt worry about forgetting to mention you were in UK.  It was
interesting doing the research for you :)

Here are some companies in the UK that deal with
Microfilm/Microphotography


Based in Bristol:
"BMI can equip, maintain, service and supply all microfilm and imaging
equipment and consumables that you might need for information
storage."
http://www.b-m-i.co.uk/

Based in Southampton:
"Microfilm Services"
http://www.marathon-microfilm-cdrom.co.uk/

Based in Edinburgh:
"Our Microfilming Service:
Since our foundation eight years ago, the Unit has established itself
as a centre of microfilming excellence. "
http://www.snmu.co.uk/microfilm.htm

Based in Tamworth
.."one of the country's leading document management bureaux."
"Arrow holds a selection of professional accolades, including
ISO9001/2000 accreditation"
http://www.arrow-imaging.co.uk/srvmf.htm

Based in Northampton:
"Covergold Limited are one of the largest suppliers of Micro
Imaging/Scanning Equipment"
http://www.covergold.co.uk/digital.htm

Based in Basingstoke:
"For nearly three decades, Wicks and Wilson has specialised in
producing high quality microfilm related products."
http://www.wwl.co.uk/wwl2/microfilm/index.html

Based in Wakefield:
"offering a comprehensive range of services in all aspects of
microfilming and microfiche production for public and private sectors"
http://www.microform.co.uk/

Based in Renfrewshire:
"T.R. McPherson (Microfilm Services) Ltd was formed in 1972"
http://www.trmcpherson.co.uk/

Based in Cinderford, Gloucestershire:
"Scanning Bureau for microfilm, aperture cards, roll film, Xrays, "
http://www.gloscan.co.uk/

Hope this helps, and that you make that deadline :)

All the best

THX1138

Excellent. Thanks so much - fantastic info fast.

I found this, as part of an article written by the Association of
College and Research Libraries, entitled “Guidelines for the Security
of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Other Special Collections”


“1.  Hidden marks do not have to be marks at all. They merely have to
provide some positive ownership indication that is extremely difficult
if not impossible to detect. Microembossers, for example, provide an
extremely cheap and difficult to detect type of nearly invisible mark.
Modern technology also provides non-invasive marking techniques such
as microphotography that does not leave any mark on the item itself
yet serves as positive identification. Other technologies, such as
micro-taggants, may also be appropriate for this purpose. It is vital
if such marks are used, however, that the repository keep extremely
accurate records of such marks so that they can be readily found for
identification purposes if the need arises to do so. Generic secret
marking systems, such as underlining a word on p. 13 of every book,
should be avoided as the sole means of such marks.
   2. Repositories should never attempt to cancel marks, even in the
event that the material is deaccessioned. No system has yet been
devised for canceling marks that cannot be imitated with relative ease
by thieves, and there seems to be no alternative but to assume
permanent responsibility for one's mark on a book, manuscript, or
other document. Permanent records should be kept of deaccessioned
materials, whether marked or unmarked, and the material itself when
released should be accompanied by a document conveying ownership. It
is advisable to place stamps or notes in items indicating that they
have been deaccessioned, but no attempt should be made to cancel or
remove previous ownership marks.
   3. Marks should be applied to all items when they come into the
repository. It is dangerous to send unmarked items into storage or a
cataloging backlog, where they may remain for years with no indication
that the repository owns them. Despite the fact that some items may
present extremely difficult and complicated decisions about marking,
the process should never be deferred. It is strongly recommended that
programs also be instituted to mark retrospectively materials already
in the collections.
   4. Care must be taken to ensure that all discrete or removable
parts are marked. It is recommended that each separate plate, map,
chart, or other such item in a printed volume be marked individually.
Volumes of bound manuscripts and collections of individual manuscripts
present a similar problem and each discrete item in such collections
should also be marked.
   5. Because marking should be part of an overall security program,
the role of cataloging in identifying materials should not be
overlooked. Accurate and detailed physical descriptions that note
anomalies, defects, provenance, and unusual physical characteristics
are essential adjuncts to ownership markings.”

Source:
Association of College and Research Libraries
Guidelines for the Security of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Other
Special Collections
http://www.ala.org/acrl/guides/raresecu.html


But there does not seem to be much in the way of companies out there
who do this.

Beth