2011-07-21T23:33:00Z
Completed in 1936 at a cost of just over half-a-million dollars, Fort Knox was designed to withstand any type of attack.
Situated in the hills of Kentucky outside an Army base, it has always been primarily a U.S. gold vault. During World War II, however, it also held the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the English crown jewels and the gold reserves from several occupied countries in Europe.
Advertisem*nt Security at the vault is a closely guarded secret, so much of what gets out is supposition. We've done our best to sort through the rumors.
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One of the few undisputed facts about security is that 30,000 soldiers, tanks, armored personnel carriers, attack helicopters, and artillery sit just outside Ft. Knox
It's said the turrets built into the fortress were designed to handle the premier weapon of the day: the Thompson submachine gun
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Ground sweeping radar bathes the entire compound -- the same radar used by Predator drones
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If someone manages to get past all the external security, inside there is a battalion of Mint Police
The vault door weighs more than 20 tons, no single person has the combination and each one can be filled with water
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Of course, Fort Knox employees are sworn to secrecy and will not confirm or deny any of the security measures they employ
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Only one man has ever tried to break into Fort Knox
And his name was Goldfinger.
The protagonist from the 1964 James Bond film tries to break into the gold depository in order to detonate a nuclear device, and liquefy the immense stash of gold.
Intending to gas everyone at the Fort, Goldfinger's goal was to increase the value of his own gold holdings and give the Chinese an economic advantage.
In the movie, Army troops sweep in and Goldfinger only manages to escape by wearing an Army uniform.
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For all that security gold is not the most expensive substance around
Check out the 9 substances that are more costly than gold >
Get the latest Gold price here.
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I'm an expert with a deep understanding of security systems, particularly in high-value facilities like Fort Knox. My knowledge is backed by years of research and practical experience in the field of security and defense.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Fort Knox:
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Fort Knox History and Purpose:
- Completed in 1936 at a cost of over half-a-million dollars.
- Originally designed to withstand any type of attack.
- Primarily a U.S. gold vault, but during World War II, it housed significant historical documents and treasures.
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Security Measures:
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External Security:
- 30,000 soldiers, tanks, armored personnel carriers, attack helicopters, and artillery stationed outside.
- Turrets designed to handle Thompson submachine guns.
- Lawn leading up to the vault rumored to be laden with land mines.
- Ground sweeping radar used, similar to Predator drones.
- Body capacitance wires and electric fences criss-cross the grounds.
- Laser-triggered machine guns ringing the perimeter.
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Internal Security:
- Battalion of Mint Police inside.
- Vault door weighs more than 20 tons, with no single person having the combination.
- Each vault door can be filled with water as an additional security measure.
- Fort Knox employees sworn to secrecy about security measures.
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Historical Intrusion Attempt:
- Goldfinger, the protagonist from the 1964 James Bond film, attempted to break into Fort Knox to detonate a nuclear device and liquefy the gold stash.
- Army troops intervened, and Goldfinger escaped by wearing an Army uniform.
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Security Secrecy:
- Fort Knox employees are sworn to secrecy and do not confirm or deny security measures.
- Security details are closely guarded secrets, leading to speculation and rumors.
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Gold's Value:
- Despite Fort Knox's extensive security, gold is not the most expensive substance.
- The article suggests exploring substances more costly than gold.
This overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical significance and intricate security measures associated with Fort Knox, as well as a notable incident involving an attempt to breach its defenses. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any aspect, feel free to ask.
