[CW] Key name origin?

[David J. Ring Jr - N1EA]

The first radio telegraph keys were straight bars with knobs on them - at
least the Marconi Guillotine type key (like used on the Titanic) had
straight levers - and continued to have straight levers.

The American Morse telegraph keys were camelbacked, and later, the
descending bend type - like those produced by Jesse Bunnell and others.

Was the term "straight key" only used in radio?

I know that in England they call these "pump handle" keys.

The Bunnell double speed key - known here as a "Cootie" key or "Sideswiper"
(for its action of going back and forth) is known in France by the name of
"Lame" and a famous French company DYNA produced these for many years -
until the late 1970s.

73

David Ring
N1EA
----- Original Message -----
From: "W2AGN" <w2agn@w2agn.net>
To: <ac5p@juno.com>; <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 1:13 PM
Subject: Re: [CW] Key name origin?


>
> Obviously any self-respecting CW op would resent in any way being called
> bent." This also applies to the key being used. I often wonder how the
term
> paddles" got by.
>
>