[CW] Speed-X 114-520 feet

Sat Apr 14 18:03:35 EDT 2018

One of those links that were posted has the history of this key, yours was
the first version, Electro-Bug,  Steward Johnson, I believe, then to ...

Why guess when I can paste.  73 DR

http://www.telegraphkeys.com/pages/bugs/speedx.html

Electro-Bug & Speed-X

Speed-X bugs are easily recognizable from the shape of the frame that has a
T-Bar handle built into the top. But before Speed-X, a company named
Electro Manufacturing in Fresno California began making bugs with this
distinctive carrying handle built into the frame starting in 1927. They
made a bug called the Electro Bug, which featured a solenoid that allowed
the key to produce automatic dots.

They also produced a model called the Electro Bug Junior that is the same
as the standard Electro Bug model minus the solenoid.

In 1934 Steward Johnson bought the company and moved it to San Francisco
where he changed the name to Speed-X Radio Manufacturing Co.

Most of the early Speed-X keys had no nameplates, but some of the early
keys were sold under the name San Francisco Radio Exchange. Those keys did
have labels. Early Speed-X keys were also sold through Sears & Roebuck.

In 1937 Johnson sold the company to Les Logan. It was during this time that
Speed-X created the majority of their different models.

Les Logan then sold Speed-X to EF Johnson in 1947. They continued to make
the same bug designs as Les Logan but changed the frame design on the 501
model to a Vibroplex Lightning bug style triangular plate assembled frame.
Also they introduced a new pendulum weight that used a clip rather than a
set screw, which was easier to adjust. EF Johnson continued to make bugs
until the company was sold to William Nye in 1972.

It's interesting to note that the frames on Les Logan keys were made of
cast zinc, which is prone to cracking and is somewhat brittle. So it's
common to encounter Logan Speed-X keys where the T-Bar handles are broken.

(Click on the pictures below to see larger versions of the photo)

*Electro Bug (1927-1934)*
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/electro_bug.jpg>
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/electro_bug2.jpg> A
distinctive key with a large solenoid to allow the operator to send
automatic dots. There is also an adjustment that allows the dot speed to be
changed.

*Electro Bug Junior (1927-1934)*

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/electrobug%20jr.jpg>
Looks just like the Electro Bug without the solenoid so it operates just
like a Vibroplex.

*Early Speed-X Bug (San Francisco Radio Exchange - 1934)*

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/san%20fran%20radio2.jpg>
The earliest Speed-X keys had black lacquer finish bases. Some also had
what is called a "reverse frame" where the frame "faces" the operator; that
is, the adjustment screws are on the paddle side of the frame. This
particular key to the left has a reverse frame.

*Model 500*
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/500.jpg>
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/500a.jpg>

Logan's first key with the T-Bar frame. The key pictured at the right is
one where the T-bar handle had broken off.

*Model 501*
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/501%20logan.jpg>
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/501%20reverse.jpg>
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/late%20501.jpg>

Same as the Model 500 except with larger contacts. This was called the
Professional Model. The key pictured at the left is the standard T-Bar
Model 501. In the middle is the "reverse frame" variety that does not use
the T-bar handle. Also pictured on the right is more recent EF Johnson
version.

*Model 510*
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/early%20510.jpg>
<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/logan%20510.jpg>

A smaller key with narrower base. The early Steward Johnson keys were
similar in size to a Vibroplex Blue Racer and had a black crackle paint
finish. The Les Logan version has a small base but the base is cast zinc
rather than steel.

*Model 511*

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/model%20511.jpg>
This key looks pretty much the same as the Steward Johnson Model 510 but is
chrome plated. I don't think Les Logan offered this model.

*Model 515*

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/515.jpg>
The Model 515 was a lower cost version of the 500

*Model 520*

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/images/bugs/speedx/520.jpg>
The Model 520 was similar to the 515 but was made by EF Johnson.

<http://www.telegraphkeys.com/pages/bugs.html>

[image: home] <http://www.telegraphkeys.com/index.html>
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