Hidden compartment

History:
– Hidden rooms in British castles were created in the 1500s and 1600s to hide Catholic priests (referred to as priest holes).
– During the prohibition era, hidden rooms were used for storing alcohol or as entrances to secret bars.
– In 1978, a secret room was found in connection with the police investigation of Hans Otto Meyer, who kept weapons for a secret emergency preparedness organization.
– Recent years have seen companies specializing in making hidden rooms and private individuals creating improvised solutions for fun or security.
– A company offers to build secret passageways in houses.

Types of Hidden Compartments:
– Hidden compartments can be used as hiding places for objects or people.
– Hidden rooms can range from small wardrobes to entire basements or large mountain complexes.
– Hidden compartments in furniture, vehicles, containers, and other devices can store valuables and personal belongings.
– Hidden rooms are accessed through hidden doors, sometimes camouflaged as bookshelves or trapdoors.
– These rooms can serve as refuges, media rooms, larders, or wine cellars.

Uses of Hidden Rooms:
– Hidden rooms can serve various purposes such as refuge, media room, larder, or wine cellar.
– They are used for security in case of burglary or as a fun addition to a home.
– Hidden rooms can be accessed through hidden doors, adding to the intrigue.
– Some hidden rooms are part of small wardrobes or closets, while others are entire basements or large mountain complexes.
– Companies specialize in creating hidden rooms, catering to both commercial and residential clients.

Modern Examples:
– Companies specializing in making hidden rooms have emerged in recent years.
– Private individuals have created improvised hidden compartments for security or fun.
– Hidden rooms can be used as a security measure against burglary.
– A company offers to build secret passageways in houses, adding a unique feature to the property.
– The concept of hidden compartments has evolved to include various types of storage solutions in modern furniture and vehicles.

Hidden compartment (Wikipedia)

A hidden compartment or secret compartment is a compartment whose existence or access is not obvious at first glance, and can be used as a hiding place for objects or sometimes even for people.

A hidden compartment at the back of a lap desk, with two small drawers concealed beneath the pen and inkwell compartments
A hidden door between the library and changing rooms at Mottisfont Abbey in England.

A hidden compartment where people can stay is usually referred to as a hidden room or secret room, and can range from parts of small wardrobes or closets under staircases to entire basements or even large mountain complexes. Hidden rooms are often accessed via a hidden door, which for example can be camouflaged as a bookshelf or a trapdoor in the floor. Hidden rooms can for example be used as a refuge, media room, larder or wine cellar.

The term hidden compartment can also refer to smaller storage places for valuables and personal belongings in furniture (such as cabinet compartments), trap compartments in vehicles, false bottoms in containers, and various other concealment devices.