Posted: Sat Oct 13 2001
Technology Shocker: Tiny X10 Camera Used To See Women Nude!

By now anyone who uses the Internet has seen them. Sneaky pop-up ads for the amazing X-10 Camera. Annoying advertising to be sure, but the camera itself continues to appeal to the James Bond in every male who sees it--make that the James Bond AND Larry Flint.

We are shocked, absolutely shocked." That was how makers of the X-10 camera reacted to the revelation that their half-dollar-sized cameras were being used to see and record women naked. "That is not the intended use of the device." Intended or not, that use is popular.

"That was the first thing I thought of." Says Herbert Smalls, a former janitor in a girls dorm on a campus that will remain unnamed (See related story: "College Yet to Choose Name" April, 2001) "I bought 15 and rotated them throughout the rooms." When asked if he got anything good and if this reporter could have copies of it he responded, "Well there is some good stuff but it was mostly nose picking and belching and stuff. Girls are very different when they don't think your watching and I don't mean that in a good way."

Reportedly things did not pick up until Mr. Smalls installed an electrical outlet in the ceiling of the shower so the device could be placed there. Mr. Smalls was, of course, fired from his job but is now making a killing selling his new video tape "College Girls Uncensored!"

Take, also, the case of 16 year old Timmy Smitters who took the equipment to his friends house to record his friend's sister's slumber party. "I thought it was pimpin!" (Apparently "pimpin" is a good thing nowadays, as Timmy was beaming when he said it.) But later in the evening, the event went from "Pimpin" to "Limpin" when the slumber partiers started watching a video tape procured from Timmy's mother--a tape of Timmy's potty training.

"I felt violated, sure." Says Timmy, "But I've sold 300 copies of 'Teen Slumber Party Uncensored' already." He adds with a sly grin.

Critics contend that seeing women naked was the X-10's intended use all along. They point to ads that routinely feature beautiful women in casual poses as evidence. "That is ridiculous!" Say the X-10's makers. "The point is to show that the woman is so relaxed that she is completely unafraid to relax in a slinky negligee that fits every curve of her luscious young breasts--nothing more."

Somehow the intended message is not the one getting out. These stories are not isolated aberrations. They are merely the tip of the iceberg says Tape distributor Golly G. Walley. "The video quality is not the best but they sell anyway. We've got 'Truck Stop Women's Room Uncensored', 'Strip Searches of the DMV', You name it." And they are selling well he adds, "Some of them are selling nearly as much as that cash-cow 'Timmy Smitter's Potty Training'!"


--Philip Matanka