The Quirky Innovations of the OSS

This chapter explores the formation and eccentricities of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, highlighting its chaotic beginnings and the unconventional hiring practices of William Donovan. It humorously recounts the bizarre and impractical gadgets developed by the OSS, such as pen guns and umbrella guns, and showcases the ingenuity behind their wartime innovations like the Beano grenade. Through comedic anecdotes and a lighthearted discussion, the chapter emphasizes the blend of creativity and absurdity inherent in espionage technology during this pivotal era.