Artifact of the Week: Sculpted Clay Ear

New York – Rashad Alkhader – Homeland News – From News CIA

Sculpted Clay Ear

The CIA Office of Technical Service has contributed to key developments in technology such as the U-2 spy plane, ultra-miniature cameras, and advanced disguise technology.
Identity specialists in Technical Services Staff, Technical Services Division, and Office of Technical Service have harnessed the creativity and hard work of artists, scientists, and field operators to achieve the goal of invisibility. America’s shadow warriors continue to depend on them to successfully infiltrate hostile territory undetected. As a career specialty, the practitioners of this art know that what they do preserves the freedom of some users and protects the lives of others.

Artistic skill and an eye for detail are needed when reproducing three-dimensional subjects like this, a “test” ear sculpted as part of the screening process for disguise-specialist applicants.