Commercial Telegraph Keys used by Western Union Company
These telegraph keys, made by different companies, were used by the Western Union Company.
Commercial telegraphy began on May 24, 1844, the year of Morse's successful public demonstration of the Telegraph to the US Congress.. These types of key are "straight " or "hand" keys. However, after about 1915, most telegraphers began using semi-automatic keys called "bugs." Here are some other commercial telegraph keys from my collection. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them.
Commercial telegraphy began on May 24, 1844, the year of Morse's successful public demonstration of the Telegraph to the US Congress.. These types of key are "straight " or "hand" keys. However, after about 1915, most telegraphers began using semi-automatic keys called "bugs." Here are some other commercial telegraph keys from my collection. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them.
New Haven Clock Company Leg Key:
This is a brass straight key with a steel lever. It has two legs for desk mounting. "W.U. TEL CO" is stamped on one side of base. It was manufactured by the New Haven (Connecticut) Clock Company (N.H.C.Co.) sometime between 1880 and 1890.[105] |
Plate on the base of the New Haven Clock Company Key
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Spies Electric Works Polechanger Telegraph Key 1-B
Western Union Telegraph Company:
This is a Spies Polechanger Key, made by Spies Electric Works in Chicago. It was used by Western Union for testing telegraph lines of different polarities. The lever is made of steel and the key has a heavy duty black plastic base. There is a three position SPDT switch on the base that selects the polarity of the line. [016]
Western Union Telegraph Company:
This is a Spies Polechanger Key, made by Spies Electric Works in Chicago. It was used by Western Union for testing telegraph lines of different polarities. The lever is made of steel and the key has a heavy duty black plastic base. There is a three position SPDT switch on the base that selects the polarity of the line. [016]
Thompson-Levering Telegraph Key
This hand telegraph key, made by the Thompson-Levering Co.in Philadelphia, PA, is mounted on a clear plexiglass base.The rear of key is stamped "W.U. Tel Co. Legless Key" It was used by the Western Union Company in land line telegraphy service. [034]
This hand telegraph key, made by the Thompson-Levering Co.in Philadelphia, PA, is mounted on a clear plexiglass base.The rear of key is stamped "W.U. Tel Co. Legless Key" It was used by the Western Union Company in land line telegraphy service. [034]