Key on Boards - KOBs
A Key on Board, or KOB, consists of a telegraph key and a telegraph sounder mounted on a single wooden board. KOBs have been produced since telegraphy began in the 1850s. They were originally used for operator training and practice. They also served as a telegraph operator’s toolkit that could be used from job to job. The hole in the board between the key and the sounder was used for affixing the KOB to a desk or table. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them.
J.H Bunnell & Co, Camelback Key on Board
This is one of the oldest pieces in my collection. This KOB was made sometime between 1878 and 1880. It has a camelback key lever that predates the more modern triumph lever key. They are called camelbacks because of the "hump", shape of the lever. Camelback keys were among the first telegraph keys used in commercial service. Here is a link to the current Bunnell company. [111]
This is one of the oldest pieces in my collection. This KOB was made sometime between 1878 and 1880. It has a camelback key lever that predates the more modern triumph lever key. They are called camelbacks because of the "hump", shape of the lever. Camelback keys were among the first telegraph keys used in commercial service. Here is a link to the current Bunnell company. [111]
J.H.. Bunnell & Co. Triumph Lever Key on Board
This KOB has an oval shaped steel key with a steel triumph lever, brass hardware, and a black base with a black knob. The vertical spring sounder has two coils. It is unusual with its two brass terminal strips on the top of the Board. "J. H. Bunnell & Co. New York U.S.A." is stamped on the sounder’s arm. From K1FUG. [104]
This KOB has an oval shaped steel key with a steel triumph lever, brass hardware, and a black base with a black knob. The vertical spring sounder has two coils. It is unusual with its two brass terminal strips on the top of the Board. "J. H. Bunnell & Co. New York U.S.A." is stamped on the sounder’s arm. From K1FUG. [104]
Western Electric Co. KOB with Barclay Box "Snare Drum" Sounder
This Key on Board has an oval shaped, brass triumph lever key with two horizontal relay coils. Its unusual feature is the wooden block or "snare drum." A contact is attached to the coils that hits the block to amplify the sound, making it very efficient at amplifying the sound. It was made for Western Electric Company by J. H Bunnell & Co. [025]
This Key on Board has an oval shaped, brass triumph lever key with two horizontal relay coils. Its unusual feature is the wooden block or "snare drum." A contact is attached to the coils that hits the block to amplify the sound, making it very efficient at amplifying the sound. It was made for Western Electric Company by J. H Bunnell & Co. [025]