Sideswipers
Radio Sideswiper
The Radio Sideswiper by Bunnell 1923-1925
J.H. Bunnell Double Speed Sideswiper
Here is the J.H. Bunnell Double Speed Sideswiper. Ive been told that this
key seems to have a different circuit closer and knob and that it was a
special limited edition put out by Bunnell for around ten years. It is
complete and in very good shape. The Double Speed Key is of the type known
as a "sideswiper." Unlike the straight keys , this key is worked by
alternating side-to-side movements. Since the left and right contacts are
electrically (and mechanically) connected, dots or dashes may be made in
either direction. Usually, the code elements were made by working the
lever alternating to the left and right irrespective of whether a dot or dash
was to be made. The reason for the sideswiper was to avoid the vertical
motion of the straight key which was thought to cause the "telegrapher's
paralysis" (carpal tunnel syndrome) that afflicted many operators.
