Just after the Civil War, Jesse H. Bunnell, who had been a telegrapher during the war, went into the key business. At first he joined with others such as Partrick (of Partrick and Carter). In 1881 he patented the "Triumph" key, based on a one-piece steel lever. The Triumph key was very successful, and straight keys based on the design are still being made. The famous J-38 is essentially a Triumph key on a bakelite base