Impregnable U.S. Mint

Back in 1938, the new U.S. mint building in San Francisco was widely advertised as being impregnable and "invasion proof." But, of course, as two teenage boys quickly proved, all the fancy anti-robbery gadgets in the world are useless if you forget to close the windows.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Dec 30, 1938

The Record-Argus - Dec 31, 1938

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Fri Feb 06, 2015
Category: Crime | 1930s

Comments

Unlike the secure data on company computers today, buildings back then couldn't be as safe from intrusion.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/06/15 at 09:31 AM

:lol: :lol: :lol: That's great Expat! And its usually kids there too!

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 02/06/15 at 09:38 AM

I love it when very expensive expertly-planned systems are shown to have stupid holes.

Why didn't they at least put bars on all the windows?

Posted by Phideaux on 02/06/15 at 03:16 PM

If you build a better mousetrap, a better mouse will come along.

Posted by KDP on 02/06/15 at 03:50 PM

It is foolish to assume you can make anything fool-proof or absoltely secure. :exclaim:
Think "Men Will Never Fly" as an example.

Posted by BMN on 02/06/15 at 04:10 PM

The one time I toured the mint in Washington D.C. the guide told everyone at the end if you come back on February 30th you get a free dollar. 😜

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 02/06/15 at 05:19 PM

Those kids traded one prison for another.

Posted by Harvey on 02/07/15 at 11:40 PM

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