‘Demon’ Bin Laden Dolls Were Once In The Works From The CIA
A so-called “demon” Osama bin Laden doll was once in the works, courtesy of the CIA.
Although the government agency put together three prototypes for the “toy” back in 2005, the project never came to fruition. The purpose behind the “demon” bin Laden dolls was to scare the pants off children and their parents in the United States.
According to Mother Jones, the aforementioned toys were 12-inches tall and featured “heat-dissolving material” that would essentially reveal bin Laden’s true nature; hidden beneath his skin were green eyes and “black facial markings.” Once his flesh was completely melted away, Osama bin Laden strongly resembled Darth Maul from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Check out the demon doll below.
CIA developed Bin Laden doll whose face melted into demon to scare children in Pakistan http://t.co/IYlAA5XNv3 pic.twitter.com/jXrontgqXz
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMailUS) June 19, 2014
While the bin Laden toys — reportedly nicknamed “Demon Eyes” — was originally assembed back in 2005, the masterminds behind the project ultimately pulled the plug about a year later. The Washington Post reports that the CIA decided against the idea once they got a good look at some of the prototypes.
CIA spokesman Ryan Trapan said this about the “demon” bin Laden dolls:
“To our knowledge, there were only three individual action figures ever created, and these were merely to show what a final product might look like. After being presented with these examples, the CIA declined to pursue this idea and did not produce or distribute any of these action figures. Furthermore, CIA has no knowledge of these action figures being produced or distributed by others.”
According to USA Today, the “demon” bin Laden dolls were reportedly designed in partnership with former Hasbro executive Donald Levine. Although you may not recognize Levine by name, chances are folks over a certain age fondly remember his G.I. Joe action figures. The former exec passed away in May.
The man who created G.I. Joe also made “demon bin Laden” toy for CIA’s influence operation http://t.co/2xapfXlNMI pic.twitter.com/HPvtf3fLt1
— Kia Makarechi (@Kia_Mak) June 19, 2014
Unfortunately for toy collectors who would absolutely love to get their hands on a “demon” bin Laden figure, these action figures were never officially produced by anyone associated with the dolls. If you stumble across one on eBay or Craigslist, then chances are the toy is nothing more than a knock-off inspired by the CIA project.
What do you think about the “demon” Osama bin Laden dolls? Do you believe the toys would have scared children and their parents had they arrived on retail shelves?
[Image via Bing]
