That I Didn't Know

Myths, Legends, Folklore, Historical Oddities, Space, Supernatural and Other Tales

A Little About Me

Originally from the North of England. Growing up my mother had a huge leather bound book full of stories of ghosts, alien sightings, spontaneous combustion, fairies, ghouls and more. You name it, it was in there. And I was fascinated. I've often thought about that book. I'd love to ask my mother about it but alas, she is no longer with us. So I resolved to create this site. It's the closest thing to it I could get. I hope that some of the joy I had reading that book is passed on to you here today.

Osama bin Laden Action Figure header
Bizarre History People

Operation Devil Eyes – The Osama bin Laden Action Figure

No Comments

Yes, an Osama bin Laden action figure. Not created by supporters but by the CIA. In 2005 – 2006 the CIA hatched a secret psychological warfare plan. They wanted to make an Osama bin Laden action figure to be distributed in south Asia.

Once played with, the face would peel to reveal a demon, complete with green eyes and black markings on red skin. They thought it would scare children and their parents so much the result would be them not supporting the real bin Laden.

To enact their plan, they brought in Donald Levine. A former Hasbro executive and the man behind G.I. Joe.

The plan was discontinued after 3 12 inch prototypes were created. An anonymous source with direct knowledge of the project has stated that hundreds of the toys were created and shipped to Pakistan in 2006. But that has never been confirmed.

Sale – Everything must go

Whatever the truth, we do know this for certain. In 2014 the auction site natesanders.com was tasked with selling the original prototype.

Osama-bin-Laden-Action-Figure
Credit natesanders.com

The figure is from the estate of Donald Levine. The other two prototypes are still at the Pentagon. Making it incredibly rare (if we discount the reported hundreds of others in Pakistan). Rather than a peel off face, this has a detachable head. It wears traditional Islamic clothing and black velcro boots.

It sold for $11,879. Bargain.

Sources:

Incredible Osama Bin Laden Doll Prototype Sanctioned by The CIA (natesanders.com)

Devil Eyes (wikipedia.org)

Osama bin Laden Demon Doll (edition.cnn.com)

You can now buy the CIA’s bin Laden doll (independent.co.uk)

Header Image (pixabay.com)

Share :