Industrial espionage can alter the wealth of a nation and thus its capacity to compete commercially and wage war. A great example of this took place around 550 CE, when Justinian I, leader of the Byzantine empire wanted to undo China’s historic domination of the silk trade and, at the same time, end the Persian control of this valuable commodity as the middlemen.
Justinian I was undeterred in wresting this information from China, which they protected under penalty of death. So he sent two Nestorian monks into China with the specific intent of conducting industrial espionage. While in China they observed how silk was produced and what the key ingredients were used in silk production. The monks took two hollowed out walking sticks with them (“concealment devices” in intelligence talk) and hid silk worms and mulberry bush seeds inside them — both essential for silk production.
The monks were stopped and searched repeatedly on their journey home. Nevertheless, they were successful in their quest: they single-handedly transferred the technology for silk production to the West and within a short period of time, the silk trade had been completely upended. Byzantium, and thus the Roman Empire, became the world leader in silk production, which is probably why my ties are made in Milan and not in Beijing.
This act of espionage changed trade throughout the world. (more)
Do not make the mistake of thinking industrial espionage is of little consequence. Call me, or the counterespionage specialist who sponsors Kevin's Security Scrapbook.
History also presents second version of this great espionage story. It is called "The Legend of the Silk Princess." You can listen to it here.
Do not make the mistake of thinking industrial espionage is of little consequence. Call me, or the counterespionage specialist who sponsors Kevin's Security Scrapbook.
History also presents second version of this great espionage story. It is called "The Legend of the Silk Princess." You can listen to it here.
