Extortion by pigeon
During the early twentieth century, an unusual method of crime enjoyed some popularity — extortionists and blackmailers demanding that payments be delivered via carrier pigeon. The criminals hoped that the pigeons would be untraceable. But as it turned out, the police often (though not always) were able to track the pigeons and capture the bad guys.
The Pittsburgh Press - Sep 11, 1929
Los Angeles Herald - Jan 2, 1910
The Harrisburg Telegraph - Apr 3, 1929
Comments
Today a very small radio tracker would be used. In 1929. a radio transmitter would be too heavy for one bird. However if you harnessed together a murmuration of swallows trained to follow the pigeon. they could carry it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Rn_f75UHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Rn_f75UHs
Posted by BMN on 11/12/16 at 02:40 PM
I bet this little fellow could have followed the birds with no trouble:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wOOXGifKY
I thought years ago about building a robot to enter a bank, hold it up by scrolling a threatening message across a screen while opening a door in its chest to show a bomb, have the money put into a tube, then go outside and launch a remote control plane to carry the tube away.
There are two obvious problems: 1) building such a robot would cost far more than the amount of money a reasonably-sized model plane could carry and 2) I can't build anything without cutting or stabbing myself, which would leave my DNA in the robot's innards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wOOXGifKY
I thought years ago about building a robot to enter a bank, hold it up by scrolling a threatening message across a screen while opening a door in its chest to show a bomb, have the money put into a tube, then go outside and launch a remote control plane to carry the tube away.
There are two obvious problems: 1) building such a robot would cost far more than the amount of money a reasonably-sized model plane could carry and 2) I can't build anything without cutting or stabbing myself, which would leave my DNA in the robot's innards.
Posted by Phideaux on 11/12/16 at 10:51 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Crime