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A. W. Bowman Spark Transmitting Key |
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This transmitting key was made circa 1920 by the A.
W. Bowman company of Boston, MA. It is a heavy duty key, with 3/8
inch diameter silver contacts appropriate for switching the high current
primary circuit of a spark transmitter. The metal parts (except
for the contacts) are nickel-plated brass. The marble base
measures about 4 by 6 inches, and is about 1 inch thick.
The hard rubber knob is of the so-called "Navy" type. Such knobs had a skirt which helped to keep the operator's fingers away from the lever arm, which could carry a lethal voltage. In spite of this, these keys were truly dangerous to operate, but in those early days, operators were expected to know what they were doing. |
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