When you think of secret agents, you probably imagine suave, high-tech pros with gadgets that rival James Bond’s arsenal. But Maxwell Smart? He flipped that idea on its head—then tripped over it. Get Smart, the iconic 1960s spy parody created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, gave us a hilariously inept but lovable secret agent in Agent 86. Played brilliantly by Don Adams, Maxwell Smart didn’t rely on skill or stealth—instead, he had a toolkit of over-the-top gadgets that somehow (and often accidentally) got the job done.
From phones hidden in shoes to traps disguised as everyday items, Smart’s arsenal was one big comedy sketch. These weren’t just tools of the trade—they were setups for some of the show’s most ridiculous and side-splitting moments. Half the fun was watching how terribly these gadgets failed, often at the worst possible time. But the other half? That was Smart’s unwavering confidence in them. He believed in every absurd invention, even as they blew up in his face—literally.
This list celebrates the 10 funniest, most outrageously imaginative gadgets that helped make Get Smart a classic. Whether they worked or completely backfired, these tools of the spy trade gave us unforgettable laughs and a masterclass in comedic timing. Let’s dive into the best of the bizarre from CONTROL’s most chaotic agent.
#10: The Inflatable Coat Dummy
One of Maxwell Smart’s most absurd—and unintentionally hilarious—gadgets was the inflatable coat dummy. Designed to be a quick getaway trick, the gadget allowed Max to inflate a replica of himself wearing his trench coat. The idea? Fool the enemy into thinking he was still sitting in a chair or standing guard, when in reality, Max had snuck away. In theory, it’s brilliant spy tech. In execution? Absolutely ridiculous.
The moment this dummy inflated onscreen was always pure gold. With a loud whoosh, the air-filled lookalike would appear in an instant, usually looking far more cartoonish than convincing. But that never stopped Max from using it with full confidence. He’d stand there proudly as it popped up, only for it to flop over or deflate dramatically a moment later—usually just in time for the villains to spot him anyway. The joke worked not because of the gadget’s success, but because of its inevitable failure, paired with Max’s unflappable faith in it.
What made it even funnier was how seriously Max treated it. He’d talk to the dummy, give it instructions, and act like it was a critical asset in his mission. The gag perfectly captured the Get Smart formula: a completely ridiculous concept played totally straight by the main character. It was a masterclass in comedic contrast, and that’s what made the inflatable coat dummy a laugh-out-loud favorite.
#9: The Pencil Phone
The pencil phone was a gadget that combined the covert and the comical in perfect balance. Disguised as a regular pencil, this device allowed Max to place calls on the go—well, assuming he didn’t accidentally erase his ear trying to use it. Like many of his tools, it sounds clever until Max gets his hands on it. The pencil phone often led to more confusion than communication, with Max fumbling to hold it correctly or struggling with interference because, well, it was a pencil.
One especially memorable moment involved Max snapping the pencil in frustration mid-call, leaving the other person stranded in the middle of a conversation. Naturally, Max insisted it was operator error. Despite being compact and “perfect for fieldwork,” the pencil phone rarely worked smoothly. The gag here was in the absurdity of expecting real spy work to happen via a tiny writing utensil.
Max’s devotion to the gadget made it even funnier. He never acknowledged how silly it looked or how awkward it was to use. He always acted like he was holding the most high-tech tool imaginable—because to him, he was. And that blind confidence, mixed with physical comedy, elevated this goofy little gadget to one of the most laugh-worthy inventions in the Get Smart universe.
#8: The Cough Drop Microphone
Leave it to Maxwell Smart to try turning medicine into espionage. The cough drop microphone is one of those gadgets that sounds halfway believable in a spy parody—until you see it in action. Hidden inside what looks like a regular lozenge, the mic was supposed to discreetly pick up enemy conversations. But as always, Max had a unique talent for completely botching the mission.
One classic scene has Max nearly swallowing the device mid-interrogation. As he tries to discreetly spy, he begins coughing for real prompting someone to offer him a cough drop, which he then hilariously refuses while trying to explain it’s “already in use.” The sheer awkwardness of it, plus Max’s deadpan delivery, is what sells the gag. Instead of using this sleek gadget to listen in like a professional, he turns it into a full-blown comedy sketch about miscommunication and bodily confusion.
The comedy was in the clash between intention and reality. The idea of disguising a mic in a cough drop sounds genius, but with Max in the mix, even genius becomes chaotic. And when the mic inevitably malfunctions—or worse, ends up in someone else’s mouth—it only adds to the absurdity. The cough drop mic may not have won any awards for effectiveness, but in the realm of spy comedy, it was a goldmine.
#7: The Fire Hydrant Periscope
One of the most cartoonishly delightful gadgets in Maxwell Smart’s arsenal was the fire hydrant periscope. The setup? A full-sized fire hydrant on the street that secretly doubled as a surveillance tool—with Max popping up from underground to peer through its top like a submarine captain on a covert mission. Subtle? Not even close. Hilarious? Every single time.
The visual of Max’s eyes peering out from a very obviously fake hydrant was an instant laugh trigger. Not only was it completely obvious to anyone nearby, but Max treated it like the height of stealth. The juxtaposition between how ridiculous the device looked and how seriously he used it made the bit unforgettable. He’d pop up at the worst times, narrowly avoiding traffic or startling pedestrians, all while delivering deadpan spy commentary.
And let’s not forget the logistics. In one episode, Max gets stuck inside the contraption, leading to a full-blown slapstick moment of trying to wriggle free as people try to figure out why the hydrant is groaning. It’s this blend of physical comedy, absurd design, and Max’s unwavering belief in the gadget’s value that made the fire hydrant periscope a standout.
It was the perfect metaphor for Get Smart: elaborate spy work with tools that should never exist—but in this world, somehow do. And of course, only Max could make it worse… and funnier.
#6: The Swiss Army Shoe
James Bond may have had his high-tech watches, but Maxwell Smart had… a shoe. And not just any shoe—the Swiss Army shoe, a delightfully overloaded gadget disguised as a standard black loafer. This thing had it all: compass, knife, radar, transmitter, even a miniature fishing pole (because who doesn’t need to catch trout mid-mission?). It was the Swiss Army knife gone wildly off the rails, and Max wore it like it was normal footwear.
Watching Max crouch to take off his shoe in the middle of a tense situation—only to pull out a ridiculous tool—was always a highlight. The sight gag alone was hilarious, especially when he’d use the wrong function at the worst time. Need to cut through ropes? Oops, that’s the nail file. Need to send a distress signal? That’s the fishing line again. Classic Smart.
The Swiss Army shoe worked not because it was believable, but because it was so overstuffed with nonsense that it perfectly mirrored Max’s chaotic spy style. It was as if Q Branch had gone mad—and Max was their number one customer.
Even when the shoe malfunctioned or simply didn’t help at all (which was often), Max remained convinced it was a game-changer. That blind faith in bad gadgets made him not only lovable, but gut-bustingly funny.
#5: The Bed Disguised as a Filing Cabinet
Spying is a stressful job—so why not sleep on it? One of the most unexpected gadgets in Get Smart was a bed disguised as a filing cabinet. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary metal file drawer. But pull the handle, and out rolled an entire bed, complete with pillow and blanket. No stealthy escape or surveillance capabilities—just a fully functional nap spot, ready on command.
The absurdity of it was priceless. In one episode, Max confidently pulls out the bed in the middle of a mission briefing, lays down, and starts snoring before anyone can stop him. It wasn’t just a gag about needing rest—it was a visual punchline about priorities. While most spies would be tuning into their earpieces or decoding intel, Max was trying to get comfy.
What made it even funnier was how often the bed appeared when it made absolutely no sense. He’d be in a tense hideout, open a file cabinet for “intel,” and boom—out pops a mattress. Max, unfazed, would either try to explain it or—more often—simply climb in and rest, as if it were perfectly normal spy behavior.
This gag encapsulated Get Smart’s genius: the perfect marriage of absurd props and characters who never once question their use. And no one could nap through chaos quite like Max.
#4: The Bullet-Proof Sports Jacket
Maxwell Smart’s fashion sense was as bold as his gadgets, and the bullet-proof sports jacket was one of the best examples of that blend. It looked like a standard plaid blazer, but it could stop bullets—at least in theory. The first time Max used it in the field, he was so sure of its protection that he challenged KAOS agents to shoot him while he stood dramatically in the open. Spoiler: it didn’t end well.
The real comedy of the bullet-proof jacket came from how Max used it to strut around like a runway model. He’d twirl, pose, and pat the jacket proudly, as if he were wearing the latest Parisian spy couture. The audience, of course, knew it was ridiculous—and that it probably wouldn’t work properly. And true to Get Smart form, it usually didn’t. Either it failed completely, or Max forgot to button it correctly and ended up dodging bullets in sheer panic.
The gag worked on multiple levels: visual comedy, timing, and the perfect amount of misplaced confidence. It poked fun at spy shows that glorified flashy gadgets while reminding us that in Get Smart, style and substance never quite aligned.
In the world of Maxwell Smart, even bulletproof fashion came with a side of chaos. And watching him strut like he was indestructible—then immediately run for cover—was comedy gold.
#3: The Portable Door
Yes, you read that right—Max had a portable door. In situations where there was no exit or entry, he would simply set up a frame and door in the middle of nowhere, open it, and walk through. It led nowhere. It opened into walls. But somehow, for Max, it gave a sense of formality and privacy—even in wide open spaces.
The humor here was both visual and conceptual. Watching Max set up a door frame in the middle of a hallway or a field, then knock and open it like he was entering a room, was peak absurdist comedy. He’d hold it for people, get mad if someone didn’t knock, and even close it behind him for “privacy,” despite nothing changing.
The running joke was that Max insisted on proper spy protocol even when it was completely meaningless. The portable door was an emblem of how far the show went to create surreal, deadpan humor. It was spying theater—and Max was its star.
This gadget didn’t even pretend to be useful. And that’s why it was so great. It was pure, delightful nonsense—and in Get Smart, that’s exactly what we wanted.
#2: The Cone of Silence
You can’t make a list of Maxwell Smart’s funniest gadgets without including the legendary Cone of Silence. Intended to ensure top-secret conversations stayed private, it was a clear plastic dome that lowered over Max and the Chief. In theory, it was a security marvel. In reality, it was a communication nightmare.
The moment the Cone descended, everything fell apart. Neither Max nor the Chief could hear each other, but everyone outside could hear every word perfectly. It was the ultimate failure of spy tech—a tool that defeated its own purpose. And yet, Max kept insisting on using it, every single time. That’s what made it so funny: the blind, unwavering loyalty to something that never once worked.
The visual was hilarious: two grown men awkwardly craning their necks, shouting at each other in a clear dome, while their assistants stood off to the side, confused and embarrassed. It became a recurring gag that only got funnier with repetition. It was the show’s commentary on bureaucracy, inefficiency, and absurd overengineering—and it was perfect.
If there’s one gadget that defined Get Smart, it’s the Cone of Silence. It made no sense. It never worked. And it was comedy genius.
#1: The Shoe Phone
At the top of the list is the most iconic gadget in Get Smart history: the shoe phone. A literal telephone hidden in Max’s shoe, this device is both completely impractical and absolutely legendary. While other spies reached for briefcases or watches, Max would casually remove his shoe mid-conversation, flip open the sole and start dialing. In public. In restaurants. Even in mid-chase scenes. And no one batted an eye—except for the confused people around him.
The shoe phone is funny because of how seriously Max takes it. He treats it like state-of-the-art tech, even though it clearly makes his job harder. Calls are frequently dropped. Reception is terrible. And he often forgets to hang up, leading to all kinds of spy faux pas. But Max never loses faith in it. To him, this ridiculous gadget is the peak of spy craft.
It’s also the perfect visual metaphor for the show: blending high-stakes espionage with absurd, mundane humor. The image of Max holding a shoe to his ear while taking down an international villain is so inherently funny that it’s become a defining symbol of Get Smart itself.
More than any other gadget, the shoe phone cemented Maxwell Smart as the goofball spy icon—and that’s why it’s number one.
Maxwell Smart’s gadgets weren’t just tools—they were the punchlines that powered Get Smart’s comedy engine. Each invention, from the Cone of Silence to the ridiculous shoe phone, turned every spy cliché upside down. What made them so memorable wasn’t just their absurdity—it was how confidently Max used them. He approached every mission with total trust in the most unreliable tech imaginable, and that mismatch created endless laughs. These gadgets reminded us that sometimes, the funniest failures come from the best intentions—and in Max’s case, also from a well-polished loafer.
