Before you could just install your own NSA-level security suite on your smartphone, securing lines demanded hardware. From cabinet-sized cipher machines to the eavesdrop-evading combat radios, our friends at Oobject have assembled nine of the coolest secured handsets in American history.
Be sure to also check out these vintage spy radios, these brick-phones, and some awesome retro videophones.
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Moscow Washington Red Hotline Telephone Used During Carter Administration
In some ways this is an anti-crypto device since the introduction of the famous hotline was as a result of the time taken to decode messages during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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STU-1 Secure Phone Desk Set, 1970S
Called the Stew phone, three models were produced, until the current STE set replaced them in 2008.
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STU III Phone, 1987-2008
The picture shows Bush using the phone after the 911 attacks.
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Current US Secure Phone, STE, 2008 On
This replaces and is backward compatible with the STU-III
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SIGSALY Secure Speech System Used In WWII
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SINCGARS Secure Combat Net Radio, US Present Day
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STU-II Secure Phone, US, 1980S To Present
Shown here is both the headset and the secure message hardware, below.
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Navajo-I Secure Travel Phone For US Govt Officials 1980S
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