Anti-cramp Morse key (c1908) : giving a helping hand

Tapping a Morse key forces your hand into a tight, bunched-up position, which can start hurting if you tap for too long and don't relax your hand. If you keep it up for long periods of time, the pain could get more serious and result in a more permanent condition.

Today this is known as a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), and it's the sort of problem that typists and computer operators often suffer from.

In those days it was known as 'telegraphist's cramp' and it was a serious problem for both the operators and their employers who took steps to resolve the issue.

In a book published by the Postal Telegraphic Clerks Association members were advised of safe practices to follow to make sure they didn't come to any harm. This Morse key was also redesigned to force operators to adopt a specific and better hand posture when they were using it.