ARRLWeb: In the Beginning Was the Straight Key: A Chronology of Paddles and Keyers

The devices we use to manually transmit Morse code have long held a fascination for many amateurs. Here's one collector's overview of the evolution of sending instruments, including a timeline.

First there was the straight key to send Morse Code. Then the semi-automatic "bug" was invented (patent 1904) which mechanically made a series of dots. About the time of WW II black boxes were developed which electronically made the dots, and also the dashes, and also the spaces, all in perfect time. The speed could be adjusted. These machines, now called keyers, needed a special key to run them. At that time none were being manufactured. The horizontal action of a "bug" was an ideal solution for the new key: many were reworked with the help of a hack saw. The irrevocably converted bug became known as a paddle. Manufacturers started selling new paddles with a single lever. Keyers became more sophisticated and could utilize two levers--for squeeze or iambic keying. More new paddles were devised. The cycle continues.

It has been a rich and varied history with many different makes and models. For me, putting these pieces of history together is an interesting unfinished puzzle. In this era of collectibles, keys including paddles have attracted many fans. Books have been written about them too. Collecting paddle keys is fruitful because they are still available (some more than others) and have been produced in great variety of design. It is also fun to use collectible keys on the air.

A Brief Bibliography:

Heathkit: A Guide to the Amateur Radio Products, by Chuck Penson WA7ZZE, Electric Radio Press Inc, Durango, Colorado

Vibroplex Collector's Guide, Tom French W1IMQ, Artifax Books, Maynard, Massachusetts

Editor's note: Chuck Grey ND7K got first ham licensed 1971. He's a life member of the ARRL. Chuck has been collecting keys, mostly paddles, for the past eight years and is now retired with QTH in the Florida Keys (no pun intended). Chuck likes to work /MMs, mostly on 40 meter CW and via The Waterway Net. ND7K is looking for additional information, and help would be appreciated, especially production figures and sales prices. Contact him via e-mail to nd7k@amsat.org.

A Bunnell 1910-vintage sideswiper, in use for more than 50 years. (Donated to ARRL by Ted Obrig, W4JIT)	A "flameproof" key made by L. S. Brach Manufacturing Co. (Donated to ARRL by Ben Fisher, WN2TUH)
A contemporary Llaves Telegraficas Artesanas iambic keyer paddle, made in Spain.

A Chronology of Keys and Keyers

This chronology, though not complete, puts in order the major ideas, events and products involved in the development of paddle keys. Of course, a paddle can't work without a keyer, so I have included some keyer history. Old unknown paddles are being found and new ones being invented. It is history in the making.

1888:	Bunnell Double Speed Key "sideswiper" maybe first paddle. Patented.
1940:	April QST, "Electronic Keying" by Harry Beecher, W2ILE.
	May QST, "An Inexpensive Electronic Key," George Grammer, W1DF (two tubes).
1942:	Electronic keyer made by Lovett Garceau Electro-Medical Laboratory.
1948:	Mon-Key, Electric Eye Equipment Co; first commercial electronic paddle/keyer.
	October QST, "Further Advances in Electronic Keyer Design," F.A. Bartlett, W6OWP.
1950:	Eldico "Electronic Key" Model EE-3 paddle/keyer. (Intro to K, p 56)
1951:	February QST, "In Search of the Ideal Electronic Key," by Roy Brann, W6DPU.
	December QST, "Compact Automatic Key Design" by F. A. Bartlett, W6OWP, uses reworked bug.
1953:	February QST, John Kaye, W6SRY, introduces "The Ultimatic--The Keyer with a Memory," the first in a series of memory keyers.
1959:	May, W9TO, first transistor keyer (50 Years ARRL, pp 102, 129, 140).
	El Key, Poucel Electronics, by R.E. Poucel, W2AYJ. Sold until 1963.
1960:	Vibro-Keyer (Vibrokeyer) by Vibroplex, single paddle, "original" parts.
	Autronic single-lever paddle, Newport California, patented 1963.
	(TVC 7). Also keyer.
	Transistorized keyers: March, Magkee; September, Ultimatic.
	Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer HA-1; 1961 HA-4; HA-1A to 1970 (WD5EOG).
1962:	J.A. Hills, W8FYO paddle (rocker on needle posts) to 1963. Two models, $24.75.
	First iambic paddle ad in QST by Nikey (W1IMQ).
1964:	Brown Bros Mach Co, St Louis, both straight key and paddles, pivot type.
1965:	Heathkit HD-10 single-paddle keyer (used micro switches). First keyer kit. Heath may have sold more than 50,000 HD-10s (WA7ZZE).
	'FYO patent issued, but J.A. Hills out of key making. (Intro to K, p 25)
	Palomar sells first keyer, IC with Brown Bros paddle (later used HAM-KEY); oldest (but not first) keyer maker and first to use ICs (K6NY).
1967:	Iambimatic (iambic) keying described first by H. G. Gensler, K8OCO (W1IMQ).
	The DA Keyer by Omega Electronics Co, paddle/keyer, $85.
1968:	Autronic stops making paddle and keyer. Patent issued 1963.
	John Curtis founds Curtis Electro Devices, first keyer EK38.
1969:	Ten-Tec KR5/6 drawings. Company founded 1968, made numerous keyers/paddles.
1970:	Ten-Tec paddles first advertised, Models KR 1, 2, 5, 20 and 40. KR20, $60 (K4JU).
1971:	August QST, "How to Make a Low-Cost Keying Mechanism," by A.K. Weis, WA5VQC, describes how to convert bug to keyer paddle.
	A new paddle cost more than $20, but an old surplus bug like a Lionel J-36 could be had for $3.
	Jim Garrett, WB4VVF, builds first Accu-Keyer (WB4VVF).
1973:	August QST "The WB4VVF Accu-Keyer," by James Barnett, WB4VVF (and August 1975 and July 1976) is one of the most-built QST construction projects; WB4VVF sold more than 20,000 circuit boards.
	Curtis 8043 keyer chip appears. First "keyer on a chip."
1974:	Brown Brothers go from pivot to leaf springs.
1975:	Heathkit HD-1410 iambic keyer, leaf spring paddles, $49.95 kit.
	HAM-KEY, St Louis, iambic paddles $30 plus keyers and straight keys; sold keys to MFJ, Palomar for resale (Ham-Key then Ham Radio Center).
	First, and possibly only, key with molded plastic frame.
	HAL licensed 'FYO patent, made iambic in 1976, $32 (or $153 w/keyer).
	Teletek introduces 'FYO-type iambic by W9OAH (W9OA) $28. Sold to Bencher (MM #25).
	Wm. M. Nye, Master Squeeze Key SSK-1, $23.95 (their only paddle).
	Ten-Tec Ultramatic Keyer KR50, their most advanced paddle/keyer, $110.
1977:	Bencher selling paddles based on Teletek, $40. Founded 1975. (W9KNI).
1978:	HAMCO, Eureka, California, bought key production from HAL and added magnets.
	Garsoe buys Vibroplex, moves company from New York to Maine, retools (Holly).
	Trac-Key by Trac Electronics to 1980 (W1IMQ).
	J.A. Hills, W8FYO, dies in Phoenix December 1, age 72 (WB4FJJ).
	Curtis 8044 (then M, B & ABM) best-selling keyer chip ever.
1979:	Iambic by Vibroplex, first new key by Garsoe, pivot on Original frame.
	Brown Brothers Machine stops making keys. (TVC 2)
	J. Yurek, K3PGP, and others, TRS-80 CW software. First TRS-80 ad in QST 1978.
1980:	Autronic patent expires.
1981:	Heathkit SA-5010 keyer, cap touch paddles, memories, microprocessor.
1982:	J.A. Hills 'FYO key patent expires.
	Brass Racer by Vibroplex (bought from HAMCO based on 'FYO design).
1983:	December QST "CW on a Chip," by Bob Shriner, WA0UZO and Paul Pagel, N1FB, Curtis 8044 keyer project, circuit board design.
	Morsum Magnificat first published in Dutch in 1983 by the late Rinus Hellemons, PA0BFN.
1984:	Heathkit discontinues the HD-1410, its most popular paddle/keyer.
1985:	HAM-KEY stops making keys.
	English edition of Morsum Magnificat published.
	Heathkit improves the SA-5010(A) keyer.
1986:	KENT twin paddle by R.A. Kent Engineers, England. (had been making straight keys since 1982).
1987:	Dutch edition of Morsum Magnificat discontinued; magazine moves to England.
	G4ZPY paddle keys, single and twin; later keyers & straight keys.
1989:	Artifax Books begun by Tom French, W1IMQ; key collectors' books (W1IMQ).
1991:	Heathkit discontinues SA-5010A, their last keyer (Heath exits ham radio market in 1992).
1992:	Jones, Surry, England, paddles/straight keys to 1997, imported by Palomar.
	N7CFO starts KEYLETTER.
	Tom French, W1IMQ, starts The Vail Correspondent (TVC) key collectors' quarterly journal.
1993:	MFJ 564 chrome base Bencher type paddle, made in Taiwan, $49.95
1994:	Mitch Mitchell, WA4OSR, buys Vibroplex from Garsoe, moves company to Mobile Alabama.
	First readout display keyer, Uncle Albert's, January QST, more than 500 kits (N4UAU).
1996:	Square Racer by Vibroplex, first new key from new owner, Mitch, now W4OA.
	Mouser discontinues Curtis 8044 "keyer on a chip," produced 18 years, retailed for $15 to $20, used by OEMs in radios, keyers and kits. By now, many new HF transceivers have built-in keyers.
1997:	Morse Express, biggest Morse items retailer, keys from seven countries, sold more than 1000 keys in first year plus books, kits, etc. (N1FN)
	NorCal K8FF paddle kit, 1600 or more sold in two months. $30, NorCal QRP Club (K8FF).
1998:	Palomar stops making keyers. Had offered many models in 33 years, longest run of all manufacturers.
	Telegraph Collector's Guide by Tom Perera W1TP.
	The Vail Correspondent discontinues publishing. Last issue is #24, July 1998.
1999:	Morsum Magnificat, which had been on the verge of ceasing publication, gets a new editor and publisher, Zyg Nilski, G3OKD.

Abbreviations:

Information in parentheses indicates source

MM = Morsum Magnificat
TVC = The Vail Correspondent
Intro to K = Introduction to Key Collecting, by Tom French, W1IMQ