James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box. The Secret Tools of War FREEDOM IN A DECK OF CARDS
AVOID EXPENSIVE TAX As we get ready to close out 2025, most business owners are focused on hitting revenue goals, closing deals, and maybe taking a well- deserved break. But one thing often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list: tax planning. Unfortunately, overlooking a few key details before Dec. 31 can lead to costly mistakes come tax season. However, a little preparation now can save a lot of stress (and money) later. Ignoring Year-End Deductions Many businesses miss out on legitimate deductions simply because they wait too long to act. Expenses like equipment purchases, bonuses, and charitable donations can all reduce your taxable income, but only if they’re made before year-end. Don’t wait until January to think about deductions. Review your books early, identify what you can invest in now, and document everything properly. Failing to Track Receipts and Records Nobody enjoys tracking receipts, but come tax time, disorganized records are a nightmare. Without proof, legitimate deductions can be disallowed, increasing your taxable income. Cloud accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero make it easy to upload receipts in real time, so you’re not scrambling in April with a shoebox full of paper. BEFORE THE
A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping- Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point.
Roast Beef With Caramelized Onion Gravy INGREDIENTS
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1 tbsp black peppercorns 1 tbsp mustard powder
Gravy •
4 tbsp flour
1 tbsp dried thyme 1 tsp celery seeds
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2 beef stock cubes
Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
3 tbsp caramelized onion chutney
1 tbsp olive oil
4 1/4 lbs topside joint of beef
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2–3 tsp yeast extract
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