Among the First Handbag Cams

In 1932, a young woman daringly defied the rules against photographing the Supreme Court in session with a stroke of ingenuity. She discreetly cut a hole in her handbag, ingeniously concealing a camera inside. This clever tactic, reminiscent of something out of a “James Bond” film, enabled her to capture a rare scene inside one of the most secure and private areas in American law.

Her successful attempt at this photographic feat remains an exceptional instance, as taking photos inside the Supreme Court is notoriously prohibited. This moment of audacity and creativity yielded a unique image and marked a fascinating chapter in the history of covert photography.