Electrical Odds and ends, 1920 to 1965


Engraver

An old engraver complete with tool, original cables and brass working plate, I picked up at the Ringwood street auction. It looks about 1920 or earlier and it works.


WWI Army Morse Key

The object below is a morse key which I've had for some time. Its made of brass on an ebonite base and I fixed it to a heavy iron baseplate for stability as I used to operate it via amateur radio. Somewhere I've got a circular ebonite plate which fits under the knob but other than that I think its complete and as used in the trenches in WW1.


WWII RAF Morse Key


A "bug" key made by Eddystone

This type of morse key automatically generates dots using a mechanical vibrating arrangement that can be adjusted for one's particular preferences.

Operation is completely different to a normal straight key, but surprisingly easy to master.

Left pressure sends a dash and right pressure on the paddle sends dots for as long as it is held over (at least up to about a dozen depending on how quickly the paddle is pushed over).


To see more unusual things>>