Invented by Horace Greeley Martin in 1905, the Vibroplex semiautomatic key was developed as a faster, more ergonomic, and more consistent alternative to the classic or “straight” telegraph key. Though more challenging to master, the beloved “bug” is still manufactured by the Vibroplex company to this day and is used by thousands of radiotelegraphers around the world.

0:00 Introduction
1:43 “Glass Arm” and early alternative keys
2:24 Horace Martin and the Autoplex Key
3:24 The UEM/Mecograph patent battle
6:02 How the Vibroplex works
7:17 Other Features: damper and circuit closer
8:38 Summary of Vibroplex models
9:48 Model 6 “Lightning Bug” history and features
11:00 Origin of the term “bug”
13:25 Digital Vibroplex keys
14:11 Outro

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SOURCES

https://patents.google.com/patent/US7...
http://www.vibroplex.com/contents/en-...
http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk/...
https://www.arrl.org/the-first-bugs
http://www.telegraphkeys.com/pages/bu...
https://www.radioblvd.com/telegraph_k...
http://1z8.bb5.myftpupload.com/?page_...
http://www.vibroplex.com/techdocs/Vib...
http://www.telegraph-history.org/bug/