Widely used by the U.S. Army during World War II, the compact M-209 cipher machine (c. 1943, U.S. Army) could be easily transported for use in the field. Field-level tactical communications encrypted by the rotors of the M-209 were printed on paper tape in five-letter groups. The enciphered messages were then transmitted by radio and quickly deciphered with another M-209 machine. View Slideshow 
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WASHINGTON -- George Washington was a spy master extraordinaire.
Washington's decisive victory in the 1775 War of Independence can be attributed as much to his skills as a director of clandestine intelligence activities as his military savvy, according to Eugene Poteat, a retired CIA scientific intelligence officer.
This fun fact and many more can be discovered at the new International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. The museum traces the evolution of espionage and explores the role intelligence gathering plays in current world events.
"What one can see at the Spy Museum is that spies have always used the latest and best technology available to them, and that some of the most popular consumer technology was first developed to suit the needs of spies," said Poteat, a member of the museum's advisory board and president of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers.
Back before electronic communications were possible, spies shot secret messages into forts using bows and arrows. Later, agents secreted sensitive missives inside silver balls, which they then swallowed. Hot air balloons, telegraph systems and cameras were also among the technologies that were quickly adopted by spies.
"Better technology has often come about due to governments' and spies' constant desire to know more and relay information more quickly," said Poteat.
"For example, the photo satellites, which can take a picture and radio it around the world in seconds, were first developed for intelligence gathering, and are also the basis of digital photography and high-definition TV."
George Washington first learned about the power of spy technology during the French and Indian War, according to Poteat.
Fighting with British Gen. Braddock in 1755, Washington watched in horror as Braddock's forces were ambushed by the French and Indians, and almost completely annihilated. Washington himself barely escaped after his horse was shot out from under him.
"The French had a very effective intelligence network and were aware of Braddock's every move well in advance," said Poteat. "Washington would never forget this bitter lesson."
But Washington's first attempt to establish a spy network failed, resulting in the death of his first spy, Nathan Hale.
The British captured Hale and left him dangling from the gallows for three days as a deterrent to other potential spies. But at least Hale's now famous last words live on: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
Despite the hanging of Hale, Washington eventually succeeded in establishing an extremely effective spy network. Poteat's favorite spy of all time is Washington's agent 355.
"She was the perfect spy," said Poteat. "Her cover was so perfect that she has remained anonymous to this day.
"She supplied the critical intelligence that George Washington needed to win the War for Independence. She helped uncover the treachery of Benedict Arnold, and the capture of the head of British intelligence, Maj. John Andre, who credited Washington's winning the war to his superior intelligence, rather than his battlefield performance. Andre wasn't referring to Washington's mental powers, but to his spy network."
Intelligence on another side of Washington can be studied in depth at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, in Alexandria, Virginia. The 333-foot memorial stands on Shooter's Hill, overlooking the nation's capitol.
Visitors to the memorial can view a fine collection of Washington memorabilia, much of it connected to George Washington's military career, as well as his deep involvement with the Masons. Washington was the charter master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22.
But the highlight of the memorial is the tour, guided by Mason Jim Williams, through the floors of meticulously constructed and decorated lodge rooms, including the Egyptian and Sumerian temples in the Cryptic and Royal Arch rooms, as well as the cathedral designed and dedicated by the Knights Templar.
"People come here believing the darnedest things about Masons," said Williams. "We aren't a cult, we aren't a religion, and we don't sacrifice infants or defile virgins. We're a fraternal organization dedicated to being the best people we can be."
The business of gathering intelligence is also surrounded by dark rumors that lead people to believe that spying is a sinister business.
During World War I, President Wilson, in response to suggestions that he needed an intelligence service, argued that if America needed intelligence it could be obtained from her allies, Britain and France, said Poteat.
"And Secretary of State Henry Stimson will always be remembered by spies for his 1928 statement, 'Gentlemen don't read each other's mail'; his closure of the U.S. 'Black Chamber' code-breaking operation; and the resulting Communications Act of 1934, which made it illegal to intercept and read other people's mail -- even an adversary's," he said.
"Fortunately for the country, the U.S. military ignored the law and continued to master the black art of code breaking, which would save the day in World War II."
And while admitting that all intelligence services are used for propaganda and perception management, Poteat said that he believes that Americans need not be "nervous about our intelligence invading your privacy."
"Most people, when asked, will say they care more about their safety than privacy," said Poteat.
"What I worry about is getting our intelligence community to be better up to the job of domestic intelligence -- that is, preventing more deadly terrorists. And that will require something akin to pre-emptive intelligence collection."
*(Michelle Delio and photographer Laszlo Pataki are on a four-week geek-seeking journey along U.S. Route 1. If you know a town they should visit, a person they should meet, a weird roadside attraction they must see or a great place to fuel up on lobster rolls, barbecue, conch fritters and the like, send an e-mail to wiredroadtrip@earthlink.net.) *
Sad End to Computing's Inventor
It'll Thrill Ya, It'll Kill Ya
