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Minifon
CIA
  
P-55 →
  
Protona Minifon Mi-51
Miniature wire recorder

The Minifon Mi 51 was the first of a successful series of portable minature wire recorders built by Monske & Co GmbH (later: Protona) in Germany. It was introduced in 1951 at a time when transistors were not available yet, and all consumer electronics were valve-based (tubes).

Using the first generation of minature valves, this marvel of technology measures only 17 x 11 x 3.5 cm, small enough to fit in a pocket or a handbag. It didn't come cheap however: in 1951 one would pay no less than DM 680 for it.

The Mi-51 is battery powered, making it a truely portable device. Bringing the device back to life today is rather difficult however, as it requires three different voltages: 9V (for the motor), 30V (anode voltage for the valves) and 1.5V (for the filaments). It has a recording capacity of approx. 2.5 hours without replacing the batteries. 		  
The Mi-51 is the protective case, lying on top of the accessories in the storage case.

The Mi-51 was invented by Willi Draheim, who started the development in 1948, just a few years after the end of WWII. The Mi-51 was in production from 1951 to 1955, when it was replaced by the P-55. Draheim left the company in 1952, just before the Minifon was taken over by Protona.

The closed storage case. Here is a somewhat deteriorated condition.
The opened storage case, showing its contents. The Mi-51 is in a further green case at the right.
The Mi-51 is the protective case, lying on top of the accessories in the storage case.
The Mi-51 in its protective green carrying case
Typical view of the bar Mi-51 unit.
A look inside the Mi-5 after the lid has been removed
Close-up of the wire reel. As you can see, the wire is currently broken.
The famous microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
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The closed storage case. Here is a somewhat deteriorated condition.
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The opened storage case, showing its contents. The Mi-51 is in a further green case at the right.
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The Mi-51 is the protective case, lying on top of the accessories in the storage case.
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The Mi-51 in its protective green carrying case
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Typical view of the bar Mi-51 unit.
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A look inside the Mi-5 after the lid has been removed
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Close-up of the wire reel. As you can see, the wire is currently broken.
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The famous microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
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Accessories
The Mi-51 usually came in a green or brown storage case, such as the one shown above. The case is made of artificial leather, and is not likely to have survived the years. The case shown here has deteriorated somewhat, especially at the edges. The recorder was supplied with a lot of accessories, such as microphones, earphones, extra wire spools and a power supply unit (PSU).

By far the most eye-catching accessory, is the microphone disguised as a typical wrist watch, shown in the image on the right. It is designed to be worn inconspiciously on the left arm, whilst the wire is hidden in the sleeve. The microphone is very sensitive and the user has to ensure that it doesn't brush against the clothing.

The recorded audio could be played back via the supplied pair of stethoscope headphones. 		  
Close-up of the watch-microphone on the wrist

The famous microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
Close-up of the microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
Close-up of the watch-microphone on the wrist
This is how the watch-microphone was carried on the wrist
The headphones in the shape of a stethoscope
The 'standard' microphone supplied with the Mi-51. Attaches to clothing with a leather strap.
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The famous microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
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Close-up of the microphone that was disguised as a typical watch
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Close-up of the watch-microphone on the wrist
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This is how the watch-microphone was carried on the wrist
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The headphones in the shape of a stethoscope
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The 'standard' microphone supplied with the Mi-51. Attaches to clothing with a leather strap.
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Literature
  1. A.Q. Tool, Evaluation of the Minifon as a countermeasures data recorder
    NRL, memorandum 182, 1 June 1953.

  2. TSS/APD, Proposal for Subminiature Recorder
    CIA Memorandum, 15 February 1954.

  3. CIA, About the use of Minifon recorders with Crystal Video Receivers
    1 September 1954.

  4. CIA, Crystal Video Receivers
    About the use of Minifon recorders with Crystal Video Receivers.
    1 December 1955.
Documentation
  1. Bedienungsanteitung für das kleinste Tonaufnahme- und Wiedergabe-Gerät der Welt...
    User Manual for the smallest audio recording and play-back device in the world (German).
    Protona GmbH. Undated (1951-1955).

  2. Minifon, Ihr sprechendes Notizbuch
    Sales brochure and list of accessories (German).
    Protona GmbH. Undated (1951-1955).
References
  1. Roland Schellin, Spion in der Tasche
    Detailed history of Protona and the Minifon recorders
    ISBN: 3-936012-00-8 (German) ➤ Replaced by [2]

  2. Roland Schellin, Spion in der Tasche (2022)
    Completely revised edition, 1 April 2022.
    ISBN 978-3982234007. ➤ Amazon
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 24 March 2012. Last changed: Monday, 28 March 2022 - 10:49 CET.
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