When the first Bond film, Dr No, was put together 40 years ago, little did its makers realise that there would later be a market for 007 film memorabilia. Once the film was over, they got rid of the props without a second thought for the generations of Bond fanatics that would follow over the years.
So it came to pass that an (empty) bottle of Dom Perignon ‘55from a dinner scene is one of the sole survivors from the set of Dr No.
But later, lessons were learned and producers Eon Productions started putting props aside at a secret location.  | Hidden camera: 'Battersea Covert Surveillance Project' |
Now some of the most iconic props from Jaws' teeth to Bond's vehicles are on show alongside interactive displays, storyboards and other paraphernalia in London.
The Science Museum is offering Bond fans of all ages (and extremes) a behind-the-scenes peek at 40 years of Bondage including a props-preview from the latest Bond outing 'Die Another Day'. Starting with a mission briefing in a replica of M’s office, visitors are equipped with swipe cards and given an interactive look at the world of Britain's most famous spy. They are tested on their Bond knowledge and get the chance to prevent a nuclear meltdown - courtesy of a replica reactor room.
Crocodile shoes Those prepared to spend time logging on to the themed terminals can hear interviews including Roger Moore's regret at wearing crocodile skin shoes during the stunt scene shot at an alligator farm. But despite the effort put into the hi-tech, interactive exhibition, it was the old fashioned microfiche of archived Bond articles that fascinated 12-year-old visitors Nestor Sajo from Hackney and Ashleigh Jordan from Islington.  | Ice furniture from Die Another Day |
Nestor said: "I liked the microfiche, I wanted to see what they did and how it worked. It’s pretty fun, it’s like a typing machine. " But it was the cars and items from Die Another Day at the 007 Prop Store that were most admired by 38-year-old Bond fan
Dave Worrall. The co-author of 'The Essential Bond' was at the museum's press launch to see how the exhibition shaped up. He said: "It’s not very often you get the chance to see this sort of thing exhibited." "To have Goldfinger’s Rolls Royce, to have that piece of history here is wonderful."
"With my history of writing books on the films, for me it’s nice to see material relating to the latest film because that is new. Although I work in that environment, I am just as excited as anyone else about seeing the film when it is finished."
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Head of the museum, Jon Tucker, said it had taken a month of working "flat out" to install the exhibition. He liked the cars best - particularly those from the newest Bond film.
"I’m raving about the props store, especially the ones from Die Another Day, which haven’t been displayed before this - and also Q’s workshop, because I’m a bit of a gadget fan."
The James Bond exhibition runs at the Science Museum until 27 April 2003 | 
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