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Stasi Smelling Jars

Jars

Maker: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit

Date Made: 1970s-1980s
Country: German Democratic Republic

Materials: glass; metal; rubber
Measurements: 12 cm x 9 cm dia.; 4 3/4 in x 3 9/16 in dia.

Description

Two glass jars with lids that are attached with a piece of metal that were used by the Stasi. In order to identify and track suspected dissidents, the Stasi experimented with an odor recognition system. A piece of clothing or a cloth pad wiped with sweat would be collected and preserved in a glass jar, each carefully labeled with the potential offender’s name and file number. The Stasi often broke into homes to steal suspects’ underwear or wiped down chairs used during interrogations to ensure a strong odor sample. Specially trained dogs would then use the samples to track down their targets. Following German reunification in 1990, the glass jars became common symbols in films, museums, and media to represent the widespread abuses of the Stasi.

Accession Number: 2007.204.002

Collection/Series: Surveillance & Espionage

On View: Yes

Exhibition History

• Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency

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