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What’s That? (65)

This explains all...
"DEAD" --- cyanide pill release in case of detection? ;-)
iPod?
LOL
What’s That? (65) by jurvetson.
Puzzle Series: What is this, or what do you want it to be?

We are long overdue for a puzzle, and I may need some help explaining this one… 
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Scott C (sec611)  Pro User  says:

Is it a line actuated recording unit model 300ACB?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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caitlinburke  Pro User  says:

It's clearly a telephone with a built-in Geiger counter (who can't use one of those??) that can also be used to fly a plane (see www.cartoonbank.com/assets/1/43325_m.gif ).

The stuff in the well on the right is a kind of chromed-up moleskine.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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biotron  Pro User  says:

is it a shark's brain? *
new Google landline customer assistance unit? *
victim of John Draper? *
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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jurvetson  Pro User  says:

Oh, this is good..... so much potential floating around in the blogosphere....
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Automatt  Pro User  says:

Looks sort of like a covert listening device?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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slowburn♪  Pro User  says:

»It looks just like a TeleFunken U-47«.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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pfflyerpf says:

Brain Neuronal Unit Discharge in Freely Moving Animals:
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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jurvetson  Pro User  says:

Automatt: what exactly are you saying? Oh, never mind, I'll just use the device...
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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biotron  Pro User  says:

an Automattic interpretation unit, in that case!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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benjiman  Pro User  says:

I can't say what it is because the NSA is listening

(and watching, and sniffing and groping in an unseemly fashion)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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biotron  Pro User  says:

mobile exchange / phone tapper, presumably?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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daphne_naturally says:

It's a close-up of Get Smart's shoe phone...
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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jurvetson  Pro User  says:

Bingo Biotron, automatt and special credit to sec611 for being a good reader. =)

When my Dad bought this, he was told that it was a covert phone wiretap device used by the FBI and CIA. It has U.S. Army registration tags and some other markings I wil look up tonight. I like the legalese disclaimer on the right.

Anyone know anything more about this? Maybe I should give it a spin.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Scott C (sec611)  Pro User  says:

I was just being a smartass, but I'll take whatever credit comes my way! :) I actually thought someone built it as a hobby or from a kit, the Dymo labels all over makes it look 'homemade.' ;}
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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JJ San  Pro User  says:

This was the first black iPod design, no? I see the early scrollwheel prototype, the UV Meter visualization, the four buttons below the screen...
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Telstar Logistics  Pro User  says:

It's beautiful. How many stake-outs in how many seedy hotels must this thing have seen? Ah, if toggle switches could talk...
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Victor1  Pro User  says:

Is this how your dad kept tabs on you in college?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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xouroborus says:

Something Jobs and Woz lifted out of an unattended telco truck!? '_'
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Jef Poskanzer  Pro User  says:

I was going to guess it was a CRM-114 Discriminator.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Todd Huffman  Pro User  says:

GAAAAAH!

I keep missing these! Do more of them!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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nhr says:

A synthetic four-rotor Enigma encryption engine designed by Wernher von Braun at the US Government's behest ;-)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Automatt  Pro User  says:

Yay! I got one right!!!
I only had to lurk Steve's photostream for a mere eighteen months. =)
posted to www.geekcrack.com
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Houser  Pro User  says:

Someone clearly has you all fooled. As anyone can plainly see, it is most definitely a time travelling device. Geesh (amateurs) :P
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Victor1  Pro User  says:

Or to get to the matrix on dialup.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris Radcliff  Pro User  says:

JJ San: wow, it really is reminiscent of an early iPod. What would that hold, like, .3 songs?

Definitely wondering what that DEAD button does. "KILLS LTS & PH. MIC", apparently.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

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fotogail  Pro User  says:

found through the nsa tag while tagging a silly one of mine, and this is great! orgasmatron, phone home.

what a cool gadget.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

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fotogail  Pro User  says:

found through the nsa tag while tagging a silly one of mine, and this is great!

place hands on handles? why would that be? uri geller's phone?

what a cool gadget.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

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farlane  Pro User  says:

Hello! I blogged your photo along with some news about the latest place where the NSA is spying on Americans. I believe that we are still un-surveiled at most Taco Bells and at church bingo nights.

I also really miss Wired's feature like this and am glad to find this!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

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flingitman  Pro User  says:

Open channel D
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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