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G4EBT > MORSE 21.11.07 12:01l 65 Lines 2304 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : EA7098G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Horace G Martin and Vobroplex
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0SL<DB0FSG<DB0PV<OE5XBL<OE6XPE<DB0RES<ON0AR<GB7FCR
Sent: 071121/0951Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:51802 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:EA7098G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : MORSE@WW
Few amateurs won't have heard of the fame Vibroflex Morse keys. There's an
interesting, well-writen and nicely illustrated article on internet by J.
Casale - W2NI, which can be found at:
http://www.telegraph-history.org/horace-g-martin/hgmp1.htm
It would be quite wrong to lift the article and place it on packet, but
it's would be a shame for it to go unnoticed by those who are interested
in the stuff, as I am, so here's an introduction to give a flavour:
Quote:
Behind all the data that exists today about Vibroplex keys : the various
models, their manufactured dates, and the many labels, is the story about
Horace G. Martin.
Without Martin's sole invention of the Martin Vibroplex, almost a hundred
years ago, there would be no Vibroplex Company, and the careers of many
telegraphers in this country would probably have been severely shortened.
Martin's inventions in semi-automatic key design have been used by
thousands of commercial, press, railroad, military and amateur telegraph
and radio operators both on land and at sea for decades, yet very little
has been documented about Martin himself.
Where did he come from?
What or who motivated him to experiment with semi automatic key designs?
What about the man?
Did he seemingly come out of nowhere just to seize a marketing opportunity
for telegraphers who were suffering from telegrapher paralysis? This was
the crippling syndrome that affected the arms of many telegrapher's from
the daily abuse of manipulating a manual telegraph key.
I will attempt to answer these questions in a multi part article that will
trace his life at least to the point where he first introduced the Martin
Vibroplex. This installment will cover his early years and will also focus
on an incredible telegraph tournament he participated in that should leave
a lasting impression.
Unquote.
There's a link on the website to the Horace G Martin page,
and about the 100th anniversary of Viborplex in 2005.
Hope it's of interest to Morse aficionados and history buffs.
Best wishes
David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
British Vintage Wireless Society Member
G-QRP Club Member, No: 1339
Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 09:50 on 2007-Nov-21
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