seaempty

Life's Little Pleasures #9 - The Name's Bond...

Saturday, February 10, 2007 7:00:42 PM

James Bond. One of the greatest fictional characters of all time. I'm pretty sure that at some point in any man's life he's wanted to be Bond. Maybe it's his suave and sophisticated nature, or his confidence, or his way with the ladies. For me, however, it's the gadgets. Yes, I admire his bravery, and calm-under-danger attitude, but I know that I'll never be like that. I can get the gadgets, however.

Take a look at this list of James Bond's gadgets, courtesy of Wiki. It may (or may not) surprise you how many of these gadgets have actually become mainstream products. I was surprised how many I actually own. Well not really surprised, more pleased with myself. Here is a list of Bond gadgets that I own.

From "Dr. No"

Luminous watch - Bond has a watch with a luminous, slightly radioactive face that glows in the dark. This is a holdover from Fleming's novels, in which Bond is described as having a similar watch

Yep, got me a watch with a glow-in-the-dark dial.

From "From Russia With Love"

Pager - Bond had one to notify him if he ever needed to contact MI6. It is worth noting that Bond also had a phone installed in his car as well.

I used to have a pager before I got my mobile. Oh, that covers the car phone too then!

Garrote watch - A wristwatch from which a wire garrote can be drawn.

OK I don't have a garrotte watch, or any form of garrotte, but at work, my swipe-card is attached to a retractable cord - I guess this'll do the job if required.

From "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Minox B 8x11 Camera - Bond uses a small camera to take snap shots of a map that shows where the "Angels Of Death" are to release a biological agent.

I have a digital camera and it is tiny. I also have a camera on my mobile phone.

From "Diamonds Are Forever"

Slot Machine Ring - Q created a ring that, when used, ensures a jackpot at the slot machines every time.

I don't have a slot machine ring as such, but I do have a metal disk on my key-ring which allows me to get shopping trolleys without depositing the necessary pound coin. Oh I am a cunning devil, alright.

From "Live and Let Die"

Rolex Submariner - Given to Bond by M. When turned on, it could snag any lightweight metallic item.

Ah my watch. My gadget pièce de résistance. I am the proud owner of a Tissot T-Touch watch. It doesn't attract metallic objects, but is a compass, thermometer, altimeter, and barometer. And it has the aforementioned glow-in-the-dark dial. Jimbo is green with envy right now.

From "Moonraker"

Moonraker Laser - A laser gun that can be shot in space.

I have a laser pointer. In fact I have two. I'm not sure if they work in space, but I bet they do. If I'm in space, and Blofeld expects me to do a PowerPoint presentation, I'm sorted.

From "GoldenEye"

Ballpoint Pen (Parker Jotter) - Contains a class four grenade.

I have a rather nifty pen. It does not contain a class four grenade (or even a class three grenade), but it does contain 13 other tools. I give you the Swiss Military Pen.

From "Tomorrow Never Dies"

Mobile Phone - The phone had a variety of features

Who doesn't have a mobile phone? I guess most people's phones don't stun people, scan fingerprints, or control BMW's, but mine is a camera, radio, mp3 player, messaging device, games machine, and allows me to access the Internet (thanks to Opera Mini

). That's pretty impressive if you ask me!

There you have it - Bond and I share a fair few gadgets. I guess if you count things like laptops, PDAs, and SatNav systems, the Bond of yesteryear would be one very jealous spy. I have the laptop, but that's it. There are quite a few gadgets there that are certainly around and in everyday use. Mini microphones and radio transmitters, televisions in watches, and even jet packs. Have a look through the list, and see what gadgets you share with Bond...

Life's Little Pleasures #8 - My Name Is EarlLife's Little Pleasures #10 - Monkey!

Comments

Giovanni MedinaWiidark # Wednesday, February 14, 2007 6:13:11 AM

Kinda funny... I guess anyone could feel like James Bond with gadgets that are quite common today. You should get the multi media watch that can be found on ebay. It plays mp4 format, the format covers both audio and video files.