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Briefcase with Decoder

Sound equipment

Maker: Unknown

Date Made: 1980s
Country: German Democratic Republic

Materials: metal; plastic; leather; synthetic material
Measurements: 4 1/2 in x 18 1/2 in x 14 1/2 in; 11.43 cm x 46.99 cm x 36.83 cm

Description

This briefcase was used to conceal a decoder, used by East Germany’s Ministry for State Security (Ministerium für Staatssicherheit—MfS), known as the Stasi. A plain black suitcase with a large black boxy piece of technological equipment attached to the inside. The equipment has dials, lights, and keypads, and is coming out of the box in two different levels in order to read data displayed on the second level. There is also a compartment for papers on the lid. *The seller said he found the suitcases in an abandoned stasi building.

Accession Number: 2008.255.002

Credit Line: The Normannenstraße Collection
Collection/Series: Surveillance & Espionage

On View: Yes

Exhibition History

• Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency

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