[CW] Key name origin?

Wed, 29 Jan 2003 21:20:12 +0000

Hi,
"David J. Ring Jr - N1EA" <[email protected]> said:
> 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.

Being English, I've always assumed "straight" key was used in the
sense of "straight-forward" - i.e. not modified or elaborate, without
additions, (to quote my dictionary) - as opposed to bugs, sideswipers
etc. which are elaborations of the basic key.
This is a common use of the word "straight" on this side of the pond.
-- 
Cheers and 73,
Stan Barr  G0CLV  G-QRP 3369   [email protected]

"Never leave well enough alone." -  Raymond Loewy