by Neal McEwen, K5RW

k5rw@telegraph-office.com

I first started this list in the early 1980s and it has sort of evolved.  In some cases the dates are based on verifiable evidence and in some cases the dates are a best guess.  This list will continue to evolve and your input is welcome.  I will add a references column at a later date.  See credits and bibliography below.
 

Domestic Manufacturers of Semi-Automatic Keys (bugs)

Manufacturer	Location	Dates	Models and Notes	Photos	Notes
A-to-Z Electric Novelty Co.	Chicago, Ill.	?-1914-?	Illegal copy of Martin Vibroplex.  "The Improved Vibroplex." Original, Dual Lever, and X-model clones.  Also the "Oscilloplex," which might have been a legal bug.	.	JOT
A.E.Co.	Chicago, Ill.	pre-WWI	Also labeled "Improved Vibroplex."  All A.E.Co. bugs have a steel frame; some have a steel damper and weights.  The maker of A.E.Co. bugs seems to be the same as A-to-Z bugs.	.	Evans
Abernethy	Hampton, Va	1916	Slipped through Martin patents with patent 1,168,696.  Small bug at 4" x 2".	.	.
Air Hawk	?	?	Has damper like Vibroplex "Lightning Bug."	.	.
Bell Novelty Co.	Cedar Rapids, Iowa.	1949-1950s	Economical right-angle bug sold as learner's intrument.	.	.
Boulter, R.L.	Los Angeles, Cal	1913-1920	Boulter patent numbers appear on Vibroplex "Lightning Bug."	.	.
Breedlove	299 Marietta St. N. W. Atlanta 3, Ga.	1950-1951	"Codetrol" Right-angle bug.  200 or less made.  Most sold in Europe.	.	.
Brooklyn Metal Stamping Co.	Brooklyn, N.Y.	1930-1942	Commercial "Speed Bug" and Signal Corps J-36 models.  Unusual design.	.	BMSCo.
Brown Bros.	5370 Southwest Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63139	1964-1975	Bug and Straight-Key combination, model CSA.	.	Brown
Bunnell, J.H.	New York, N.Y.	1915, 1926-27 1940-1950s	"Bunnell "Original", "Bunnell Gold Bug"  Bunnell-Martin "Flash Keys," Bunnell "Flash Keys," plus the Signal Corps. J-36 and special Navy models  amd Navy model clone for commercial service.	.	.
** Bureau of Engineering.	New York, N.Y. (Made by Bunnell)	1940s	Navy designation: CJB-26009A. "Property of U.S.Navy" cast into bottom. Made by Bunnell (See above).	.	.
Cardwell, A.D.	?	?	Dual Lever bug.	.	.
** Central Typewriter Exchange.	New York, N.Y.	1922	Dununit bug.	.	.
Clark, James	Louisville, Ky	1942-1945	"Rotoplex" for the U.S. Army Airways Communications Service, AACS.  Also commercial models.  Pendulum pivots on ball bearings.	.	.
Conkling, D.C.	Pittsfield, Mass	?-1912-?	Advertised in July, 1912 "Railroad Telegrapher."
Conkling, George W. (?Conkling, James?)	Tribune Building, New York	?-1908-?	Used line current to make dots like the Electro-Bug.  Dual lever.	.	Conkling
** Cope.	?	?	Heavy, narrow base with 'The Cope' cast into the metal.	.	.
Cote, O.E.	Probably Canadian	1930s?	O.E.Cote stamped into top of lever.	.	.
D&K Mfg.	1555 Columbus Road, Cleveland, Ohio	1909-1920	The "Dinger" was a right-angle design similar to but different than the right-angle Mecograph bugs.	.	Dinger
** Davis.	Seattle, Washington	?	Elongated teardrop chromed base with very modern streamlined frame.	.	.
Delany Telegraphic Transmitter Co.	20 Broad St. New York, N.Y.	?-1906-1908-?	"Auto-Dot."  Most Delany bugs have a wooden top base on iron sub-base with a cloverleaf stamp with "DTTC" on it.  At least two variations of design.	.	Delaney
Dow-Key	Warren, Minnesota and Brewer Maine.	1945-1950s	Several models. The "Universal" rotary model is the most common.  Also made in Winnipeg, Canada	.	Regis
Dunn, Thomas J.	No. 1 Broadway, New York, N.Y.	1909-1915	"Dunduplex"  Makes code with paddles or two finger buttons on top.  Earliest model advertised as "The Peerless Key" with all moving parts encased in a 4" x 2" casedwith three buttons on top for dash, dot and circuit switch..	.	Dunn Dunn2 Dunn3
Electric Specialty Co.	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	1939-1955	"Cedar Rapids Bug" The only bug ever marketed in kit form.  Amateur and professional models.  Sold for $2.97 in 1939	.	.
Electro Mfg. Co.	443 Stevenson St. San Francisco and Fresno, California	1924-1934	"Electro Bug"  Used line current to make the pendulum oscillate.   Also "Electro Jr."  and "Model 11" for radiotelegraphers.  The Model 11 was available in black, red, blue, green and nickel.	.	Electro Electro2
Emory, A.H.	263 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.	1934-1950	"Go-Devil"  Several models. Cast base with sloping sides.	.	.
General Metal Craft Co.	Brockton, Mass.	?	"GEM Bug". All sheet metal fabrication.  For juvenile market.	.	French
Go-Devil Instrument Co.	624 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.	?-1958-?	"Go-Devil" Model-U.  Combination bug and sideswiper. Aluminum construction.	.	Go-Devil
Hulit Tranmitter Co.	529 Kansas Ave. Topeka, Ks	1909-1911	Dots made by windup clock motor.  Very large, dual lever.	.	Hulit
Hunter, David	1906 W. Hanna Ave. Tampa 4, Fl	1935-1965	"Apex" bug.  Early models made in British Honduras.  Operation by Dwight Hunter.  Single long paddle. Wrinkle paint. Advertised in QST.	.	Apex
Johnson, E.F.	Waseca, Minnesota	1947-1972	"SPEED-X" line of bugs acquired from Les Logan.  Johson sold SPEED-X line to Wm. Nye who discontinued the SPEED-X bugs but made keys.	.	.
Kenco; Kenmore Co.	Boston, Ma.	1934-1941	Made by Radio Shack of Boston.  No relation to Sears and Roebuck.  Strong resemblance to Emory "Go-Devil."  Bakelite base with iron sub-base.	.	.
** Kenwood.	?	1940s	Lower half of split lever pivots to the left to form dashes. Unusual cast base.	.	.
King & Co.	Cincinnati, Oh	pre-WWI	"Original American Vibroplex"	.	.
Leach Relay Co.	San Francisco, Cal.	1920-1930	"Speedoplex"  Trapezoidal solid frame. Models 1 & 2.	.	.
Liggett, Van D.	Tyler, Texas	?-1914	A re-lableled A-to-Z "Original"  or "X-model"	.	.
Lionel	N.Y.	1942-1945	"J-36" made for the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  A clone of the "Lightning Bug."  Same Lionel as in toy trains.	.	.
Lippencott	?	pre-WWI	.	.	.
Logan, Les	San Francisco, Cal.	1937-1947	Logan was the second owner of the SPEED-X line.	.	.
Mac Donald, Wm.	Chicago, Ill.	1912-1914	A dual lever design. Damper like Vibro "Lightning Bug."  Insulated sub-base.	.	.
Martin, Horace G.	Brooklyn, N.Y.	1903-1914	Vibroplex	.	.
Martin Mfg.	Atlanta, Ga	1908-1910	Martin Vibroplex operation.	.	.
Martin Research & Mfg.	N.Y.	1938-1939	Manufactured clones of Vibroplex models.	.	.
Marvel	Chicago, Ill	?	"Marvel"  Black lacquered base with 'tiger stripe' band in the center of the base.  No adjustable weight; a clip changes the natural frequency of the pendulum, which is heavy on the end.	Photo1,  Photo2.	.
** Mason, Howard.	Seattle, WA	1939	The Moto-Key. 3 made.	.	.
McClintock, O.B.	Minneapolis, Minn.	1930-1931	"Keen Kode"  A keyboard for dots, number "1" to "6" for the number of dots to send.  Invented by W.D.Cooper.  Later models had automatic dashes.	.	Keen
McElroy, T.R.	Boston, Mass.	1934-1942	"Mac-Key" and many others including CMK-26009.	.	.
Mecograph	74 Frankfort St. Cleveland, Ohio  321 Frankfort Ave. Cleveland, Ohio	1905-?   ?-1910-1913	Two models of Right angle bugs made to get around the Martin patents.  A third righ angle model works like a folded Vibroplex.  Also an early vertical model, straight pendulum model ("Premier" model) and a combination bug and straight key in a box.  Bought by Martin in 1913.  Advertisement in May 1910 claims 10,000 Mecographs in use.	.	Meco Meco2 Meco3
Melehan	Anaheim, Cal.	1939-1947	"Valiant" A fully automatic bug.  Has two pendulums, one for dots and one for dashes.  Large bug with seventeen adjustments.  About 400 made.	.	.
Mt. Auburn Specialty Co.	Cincinnati, Ohio	?-1914-?	"James M. Dickson" key. Very similar to Vibroplex Original with Mt. Auburn Decal. (NM)	.	JOT
National Transmitter Co.	Jersey City, N.J.	?-1920-1924-??	Small compact bug with vertical pendulum. Three models.  Refers to Thomas J. Dunn patents.	.	.
** New Haven Clock Co.	New Haven, CT	?	Hardware Mounted on brass plate on wooden base.	.	.
Pat Products	Roseland, N.J.	?	Label on  bug states: Pat Products Div. of K&McD. Inc. Roseland, N.J. USA	Photo1, Photo2	.
Peerless Mfg. Co.	Fordson, Mich.	?	Stamped steel base on cast iron sub-base.  Some models had horseshoe magnet to keep the pendulum at rest.  No Circuit closing lever.  Early models had simulated wood grain top painted on the  iron base.  No connection to the "Peerless" bug of Thomas J. Dunn.	.	Peerless
** Perry, G.S.	Kansas City, MO	1911	"Tinsley Transmitter Bug". Low mechanism with unusual pivot at far end of lever.	.	.
Postal Telegraph	?	before 1943 merger with W.U.Tel.Co.	"Property of Postal Telegraph Cable Co. cast into the base.  Serial numbers indicate about 150 made.	.	.
Precision Thermometer  Instrument Co.	Philadelphia, Penn.	1924-1926	The " Lytle Triplex" could be used as a right hand, left hand bug or straight key.	.	.
** REL Radio Electronics Laboratories.	Long Island City, NY	?	Medium Sized bug with Black binding posts and oval REL label.	.	.
Sany Metal Products Co. Inc.	Cleveland, OH	?	Resembles a Vibroplex "Lightning Bug"	.	Gran- don
** Sarno, J.J.	?	?	.	.	.
Signal Electric	Minomineee, Michigan	1928-1934	"Sematic", a hybrid sideswiper and bug.   Low profile parts on a cast base.	.	Sematic
Simplex Co.	Salt Lake City, Utah	1907-?	Advertised as "Leiser's Simplex Transmitter."  Resembles Martin Autoplex.	.	Simplex
Specialty Shoe Machine Co.	St. Joseph, Mo	1916	"Shawplex"  The dot post had a spring like the dot spring on the pendulum.	.
Speed-X Radio Manufacturing	30 Ninth St., San Francisco, Ca.	1933-1937	"SPEED-X" line.  Some models had "SPEED-X" engraved in white letters on the fingerpiece.	.	Ranney SPEED-X
Standard Radio	New York	early 1930s	Resembles a heavy duty "Blue Racer" style "U" shaped damper with  wheel.  Made in several colors.  Black japanned, emerald green, red/chocolate and nickel plated bases.	.	.
Starkins, W.R.	Rochester, N.Y.	?-1942-?	"Equable" Fully automatic.  Powered by electric motor.  Weighed ten pounds.	.	Starkins
Telegraph Apparatus Co.	325 West Huron St. Chicago, Ill.	1943-1950s	McElroy's second operation. Models CP-500 and CP-800 with cast base and Vibroplex like uppers.  Models CP-510 and CP-810 with slab base and 'hole in the wall' uppers.	.	TACo.
Teleplex Co.	72 Cortland St. New York, N.Y.	??	'Telespeed" was a right angle bug inexpensively made. Thin base with suction cup feet.  Sold for $5.60.  A heavy base model for $.75 extra.  Very similar to Bell Novely Company bug.  Likely the same maker.	Photo	Shown in Teleplex flyer
Thomas, O.M., Electric	St. Louis, Mo.	?-1914-?	Oliver M. Thomas.	.	JOT
Tinsley Trans.	See: Perry, G.S.	1909	.	.	.
Ultimate Transmitter Co.	Los Angeles, Ca.	1925-1932	'73'  bug.  Small compact 'wrap-around' design for portable operation. Also Straight model.	.	.
United Electrical Mfg.	25 Broad St.New York Norcross, Ga.	1904-1907 1907-1908	Martin Vibroplex operation.	.	United United2
Vailograph International Co.	Guaranty Building, Minneapolis, Minn.	1908-1912	A device added to a straight key for making self completing dots.  Also advertised under "United States Vailograph Mfg. Co."	.	Vail
Vibroplex	New York, N.Y.  Portland, Maine Mobile, Alabama	1905-1978 1978-1994 1994 - present	.	.	.
Vibroplex and Mecograph Co.	New York, N.Y.	1913-1914	Name used for short time after Vibroplex bought Mecograph.  No known bugs bearing this name, thought at least one Vibroplex key exists with the characteristic 'tiger stripes' of Mecograph.	.	.
Western Electric	New York, N.Y.	1916-?	.	.	.
Westinghouse Air Brake	Wilmerding, Pa.	?	Westinghouse could be owner, not maker.	.	.
Wheaton Research & Development	Wheaton, MD.	1930s - 1950s	"The NewGo-Devil"  Fingerpiece is a cylinder of plexiglass.  Otherwise like the older "Go-Devil."	.	.
Zip-Key	?	?	Simple design on olive wrinkle base.  Markings are inked onto the base.	.	.

This compilation would not have been possible without the help of others.  I am grateful to the following individuals for input, advice and encouragement:  Larry Monroe, Doug Seneker, Russ Kleinman, Tom French, Lynn Burlingame, Gerry Maira, Tony Rogozinski, Gil Schlehman and Bob Schwartz.

Special thanks to the following for providing photographs that the author did not have: Gerry Maira,...

For more information, visit the Telegraph Office home page

Neal McEwen, k5rw@telegraph-office.com

---

Emory, A.H. -- In the mid 30's, Al Emory made the Go-Devil with some of the posts cast into the frame. The remainder of the parts were assembled. The base had tapered sides; the damper was simply a bent rod. The base was painted black. The bugs have no serial numbers. A larger and less common gray based bug was made also; it was over 9" long, being about a third larger than the other model. It is thought that less than 500 of these bugs were made.

Wheaton Research and Development -- In the early 50s, Emory made the Go-Devil again. This time looking a bit more modern. The dot spring was straight rather than the popular "U" shape. The finger piece is a cylindrical piece of Lucite.

Go-Devil Instrument Company -- In 1958, Emory made the Go-Devil, Model U that could function as a bug or sideswiper. This key had Aluminum construction; the pieces were attached to an engraved metal plate which is screwed to a hollow sub-base. Later a three terminal version was made that that could be used as a keyer paddle in addition to being a bug and sideswiper.

A to Z Electric Novelty Company -- Horace G. Martin, (Vibroplex) inventor of the 'semi-automatic' key, later called a bug, had many patents to protect his invention. Others decided to see if they could cash in on the popularity of bugs. In violation of the Martin patents, others made bugs. One of these manufacturers was the A to Z Electric Novelty company of Chicago, Illinois. Some A to Z labels even boldly stated "The Improved Vibroplex". Martin's partner was J. E. Albright. He was a clever businessman and was successful through litigation in shutting down all the manufacturing of "bastard" bugs (as they were referred to in the years before W.W.I). Even though Albright shut them down, there were many thousands of the "bustard" bugs in service. He convinced Western Union and others that some of the bugs they had in service were illegal. To legalize the "bustard" bugs, Albright sold a label that could be riveted to the bug absolving Martin/Vibroplex from any liability, yet authorizing its use. Most of the A to Z bugs surviving the dumpster have the Albright label (Mine does not). The original manufacturer's label was usually removed. There is evidence that A to Z made about 10,000 bugs, both single lever and dual lever. Without a label they are difficult to identify since they are a carbon copy of a similar vintage Martin Vibroplex.  One clue is that some A to Z bugs have a "1" cast into the underside of the base.  The "Oscilloplex" may have been a legal bug; it made dashes with the dot contact.

Thomas, O.M. -- Very little is known about this key. It is documented in "Story of the Key" as being one of the illegal 'Chinese copies' of the pre W.W.I era. It does not have a serial number. The bug is a carbon copy of the Vibroplex Original except for the damper which resembles an X-model damper. Issue No. 14 of the TVC states, "1914, Vibroplex copy made by Oliver Thomas and sold by O.M. Thomas Electric Co. Sued for patent infringement by J.E. Albright and manufacture enjoined". Only two Thomas bugs are known to exist.

Standard Radio -- Very little is known about this key. They were made with and without labels in nickel, red, green, and black enamel bases. They resemble a Vibroplex Original that was designed for very heavy duty use. Some have large tungsten contacts. The damper is "U" shaped like the Vibroplex Lightning bug but much heavier. The dot and dash posts are slotted on the top and sit on a small pedestal. The Standard is a very attractive key. The Standards with labels are serial numbered and all known specimens fall into the range of 1500 to 1515. Some specimens bear the model number "6" on the label; some have the model area of the label left blank. There seems to be several dozen or more in private collections.

Pat Products -- Nothing is known about this key. One specimen exists in a private collection. It is made of all brass construction, including the base.

Postal Telegraph -- Little is known about this key. All that can be said is that it was made before the Western Union, Postal Telegraph merger of 1943. It is an Original type design on a hollow cast iron base with the inscription, "property of Postal Telegraph Cable Co." cast into the base on the top side. The damper is a single post. Approximately a dozen are known to exist in collections.  Serial numbers known to exist are 1002, 1014, 1035, 1103, 1122 and 1133.  This would indicate about 150 of these bugs were made.

Breedlove, B.H. -- Bernard Breedlove made approximately 200 of the Codetrol keys. Most were sold in Europe. The Codetrol is an extremely well made and well operating right-angle design. The moving parts were enclosed in a rectangular tube. The finish is black wrinkle with chrome. There are less than a half dozen in private collections.

King & Co. -- Nothing is known about this key. There is one example in the Electro-Physics storage room at the Smithsonian Institute. It resembles the Vibroplex Original in every respect. The label reads, "The Original American Vibroplex". It is assumed that this key was one of the illegal "Chinese copies" of the W.W.I era. No King bugs are known to exist in private collections.

Leach Relay Co. -- Leach Relay, the company that made all sorts of industrial relays for the past 80 years, made at least two bugs. There was a "SPEEDOPLEX #1" and a "SPEEDOPLEX #2". Specimens of each are known to exist. There are no more than a dozen of each in private collections. The SPEEDOPLEX should not be confused with the Logan and Johnson SPEED-X keys. It is interesting to note that Leach also made a relay that would allow keying a spark transmitter with a bug or a hand key with small contacts. These relays are considered quite collectable by Wireless collectors. Some years ago I met a fellow who had been an agent for Leach. He sold the bug and relay combination to shipboard wireless operators and went aboard shop to install them.

Westinghouse Air Brake -- The division of Westinghouse that made air brakes for the railroads apparently had a go at making bugs. One specimen is known to exist in a private collection.

Bell Novelty -- Bell made a code practice set that came with a very austere looking right angle bug. It appears to be made from sheet metal stampings and other assembled parts. Only one specimen is known to exist.

Brooklyn Metal Stamping Co. -- Unusual design in that it has a dot spring that is not only vertical, but attached to the dot post rather than the pendulum. The damper is tube with a ball in it. The pendulum strikes the ball which in turn moves into the tube. At least one "Brooklyn Bug" as they are referred to was shipped in a box labeled "J-36" with a date several years prior to the beginning of W.W.II.

D&K Mfg. -- The Dinger is a right angle bug closely resembling, but different from the Mecograph designs. Some of the moving pieces are below, in the hollow base. One of the adjustments is quite like early telegraph relays using a cord wrapped around a windlass.

Delany Telegraphic Transmitter Co. -- The Auto-Dot was an unusual low profile design with a wooden base on an iron sub-base. Burned in to the wood is a cloverleaf with the letters DTTC, one letter in each leaf of the clover.

Dunn, Thomas J. & Co. --The Dunduplex bugs made dots by releasing tension from the spring like the Mecograph bugs. However the Dunduplex was not a right angle design. Both single lever and double lever models exists. Contrary to other reports, the dual lever does not have two pendulums and is not fully automatic. It has a single pendulum that forks to support two weights. The fork is in the horizontal plane. Once specimen exists that has the fork in the vertical plane. In both models, the pendulum and the lever are separate pieces, unlike traditional designs. Several dozen Dunduplex bugs are known to exist in private collections. Some specimens have Albright labels. This is a real mystery as the Mecograph and hence Dunn methods of making dots are not an infringement on the Martin Vibroplex patents.
   The earliest Dunduplex appears to be a small compact 2" x 4" box with all parts encased in a box called  the "Peerless".  There are three buttons on top, one for dash, one for dot and for circuit closing.  The bug is advertised in the Jan 1909  Commercial Telegraphers Journal and there is a product review in the Feb. issue.  This must have been the model "A", for in Aug. 1909 the Model "B" of the Peerless Key, a dual lever, has a design more like we are used to seeing except longer.  By Sept 1910 the Peerless name is gone and it looks like ones normally seen in collections and in print.

Bunnell, J.H. -- Bunnell made the Gold bug, a very attractive key, but not very usable. Approximately 1200 were made. The early part of the run had a fixed paddle; the later part of the run had an adjustable paddle.  Some radio retailers were taken to giving them away with orders of $15 or more. Bunnell then stayed out of the bug market until 1940 when they bought the rights to make the Martin Research and Mfg. FLASH Keys. These were called Bunnell-Martin Flash Keys. The Flash keys are not rare, though not easy to find. Bunnell also made J-36s for the war effort. The Bunnell J-36 is not near as plentiful as the Lionel J-36. Bunnell also made a limited number of bugs for the Navy's department of Steam Engineering. No date of manufacture is known, but suspected to be pre W.W.II or W.W.II. Two examples of these keys are in private collections. One has a serial number in the 50 range, the other has no label. In the late 50s.  There was also a commercial version the the Navy bug; only one example is known to exist.   Bunnell made the Speed Key, looking very much like a FLASH key with a single post and wheel for a damper.

Martin Research & Manufacturing-- In 1933, Horace Martin, founder and owner of Vibroplex, sold Vibroplex to John LaHiff. Martin retained the right to manufacture keys. He made the same basic keys that he did at Vibroplex, although the quality control seems to be a little better. The keys were available in black wrinkle and chrome. These keys were manufactured with a serial number in the 5,000 to 6,000 range. It is not known how many were made; they are not common, but not rare either. Martin later sold to Bunnell.

Electro-Bug -- The Electro Bugs were made in Fresno California and later in San Francisco. The design includes the "T" bar handle. There is an electromagnet that pulls on the pendulum. This was in series with the telegraph line and was supposed to make heavier weighted dots. There is a rheostat in series with the electromagnet. These bugs were made with a nickel plated base and a black enamel base. The serial numbers for this bug seem to be in the 10,000 plus range. There was also a model without an electromagnet call the Electro Jr. It was also sold as the Model 11. The Juniors were made in black and green bases. There was a wireless model available called "The Radio Bug" with 3/8" contacts. The serial numbers for the Jr. and 11 seem to be less than 1,000. The Model 11 was available in black, red, blue, green and nickel.  All models had the serial number stamped on the bottom. Electro is believed to be the father of the Lees Logan line of keys as they had the "T" bar handle also. These keys seem to be fairly common.

Vailograph International Co. -- This telegraph device was not really a bug. It was an add on instrument that allowed the ordinary straight key to function as a bug. The very delicately constructed mechanism had a vertical pendulum and sat down on top of the straight key. By pulling the straight key lever up dots were made. Dashes were formed by pushing the key down. Only only a few examples are known to exist in a private or public museums.

Speed-X Radio Manufacturing -- In the early 30s, Stewart Johnson, manufactured the Speed-X High Speed Key. It had a rounded Nickel frame with a reverse arm back to the top pivot. It had a single post damper. The company was sold to Les Logan in 1937. Logan popularized the SPEED-X line making many thousands of SPEED-X bugs.

Cardwell, Alan, D. -- Not much is known of this maker. We do know that Cardwell made wireless and radio components, particularly variable condensers during the early years of radio. Cardwell is also know to have made an early KOB circa. 1875, with a sounder similar to the A.B. Lyman sounder. Only one Cardwell bug is known to exist in a private or public museum. The bug is a dual lever design and  is identified with an inscription on the damper; it does not have a traditional label.

Notes:

Foreign Manufacturers of Semi-Automatic Keys (bugs)

by Tom Perera - W1TP - Copyright (c) 2006
This information has been compiled from the Doug Seneker (N0WAN) Bug List, The Gil Schlehman (K9WDY) Collection, and the Tom Perera (W1TP) Collection. Homemade and one-of-a-kind bugs are not included.

Manufacturer	Location	Dates	Models and Notes	Photos	Notes
Bech Bug	Schwartzenburg, Switzerland	1942-1943	.	.	.
BMR	Sydney, Australia	?	Codemaster Bug. Looks like Simplex Auto.	.	.
Brown, Rolf	Toronto, Canada	1930s	Xograph. Looks like a Vibroplex but square posts support dot and dash contacts. Large and Small models.	.	.
Buzza Products	Australia	1940s	Several models look like Vibroplex Lightning bugs.	.	.
China Scientific Instrument Co.	Shanghai, China	?	Looks like a Speed-X.	.	.
Cohen, Leo G.	Melbourne, Australia	1923	Simplex Auto: 8 models.	.	.
Charlottenburger Motoren und Geratebau	Berlin, Germany	1940s?	Novoplex. Large bug with Shaped paddle.	.	.
Dentsuseiki Co.	Japan	1950s?	Swallow bug. Early version of Mi-Mound and Skillman bugs.	.	.
Dow Key.	Canada	1945-1950s?	Rotatable "Universal", Bent, and Straight models also made in Warren Minnesota and Brewer Maine.	.	.
Drescher, Felix	JENA/Germany	1950s-1960s	Lightning bug clone.	.	.
Eddystone	England	1948	Teardrop bug-shaped bug with sculpted paddle.	.	.
Frattini, Alberto: I1QOD	Italy	2000s	All brass magnetic bug with red paddles.	.	.
Fujiseikosha	Japan	?	Similar to Vibroplex Original but with locking pendulum.	.	.
Goerge, Georg	N.S.W. Australia	2000s	Bug 001: Like Lightning but heavier hardware.	.	.
Hannes Bauer	Germany	1965-1975	Several models with very heavy bases. Some with ball-bearing actions.	.	.
HB9FAE	Switzerland	2000s	Small bug. Blue aluminum base. Ball bearings.	.	.
Hi-Mound	Japan	?	Model BK-100. Adhesive gummed pad under base.	.	.
Hirschmann	Germany	1935	Lightning Bug clone.	.	.
Hitchcock Brothers (Same as Thomas)	Adelaide, Australia	1918	Automorse 3-Lever Fully Automatic Bug.	.	.
Ingram, H.C.	Perth, Australia	?	Ingram "Master Key" Like and inline Simplex Auto.	.	.
Jablonsky.	Berlin, Germany	1960s-1970s	FME-33. Small bug commonly known as the miniature Novoplex.	.	.
Japan Radio Co.	Japan	?	MARKED JRC. Strange narrow bug with bars on both sides supporting adjustments and spiral damper.	.	.
Jelectro	Japan	?	Same as Hi-Mound BK-100. Lead weighted base and suction cup feet.	.	.
Jonsson, Sture: SM7XY	Vaxjo, Sweden	1946	Harlosa Bug aka: SM7XY Bug & JW KEYER: Like a Speed-X but with "T" Shaped top piece on a Lightning bug style frame. Green Base.	.	.
Junker	Germany	?	Vibroplex Lightning Clone. Similar police and private models.	.	.
Levenson's Radio	Sydney, Australia	1950s	Like-a-Flash bug.	.	.
Llaves Telegraphicas Artesanas	Balearic Islands	2000s	Model GMSO. Wooden Base Gold-plated hardware.	.	.
McCarthy, A. & W.	Auckland, New Zealand	1968	A & W McCarthy: Like a Lightning Bug. Green or Red bases.	.	.
MacDonald, Albert	Australia	1908	'Pendograph' bug. A right angle version was also made.	.	.
Merrick, John B.	Scarboro, Ont. Canada	?	All brass vertical, right angle, and straight Bugs.	.	.
Mikasa Radio Co.	Kobe, Japan	?	Very similar to Vibroplex Lightning bug.	.	.
Muse	Japan	?	Heavy round frame, white paddles. Damper support is inverted "U". 3" wide base.	.	.
Northampton Plating Co.	England	?	Heavy black base with stepped levels.	.	.
Parcusio, Lou A.	Melbourne, Australia	?	Parcusio. Very much like Vibroplex Original.	.	.
Radio Lune	Paris, France	1953-1965	Vibro-mors Bug. Small low Lightning bUG style action.	.	.
Ragar Ltda Indus. Mech. Electro	Bogota, Columbia	?	Striped green base. Tubular inverted "U" frame. Widely adjustable damper.	.	.
Robley and Tough	Perth, Australia	1920s	Piergraph. 2 Lever, reversed pendulum.	.	.
Scash, J.	Mordailloc, Australia	?	Shurdot: like a low Lightning bug.	.	.
Schurr, Gerhard	Germany	2000-	Very beautiful hand-made brass bugs with red paddles.	.	.
Skillman	Japan	1960s+	Clear plstic cover. Rubber feet. Also called Jelectro.	.	.
Steele, R.W.	Winnepeg, Canada	1910	Auto Plex. Heavy Copper plated iron base.	.	.
Swedish Radio Company	Sweden	?	Model 140 Bug. Looks like a 'T' McElroy. Grey wrinkle finish.	.	.
Tahua Electric Works	Shanghai, China	?	Looks like an all chrome Speed-X.	.	.
Telefunken	Germany	?	Telefunken Model 401 looks like narrow based Speed-X 510.	.	.
Thomas, N.P. (See Hitchcock Bros.)	Adelaide, Australia	1918	Automorse 3-Lever Fully Automatic Bug.	.	.
Tricity House	Christchurch, New Zealand	1986	"Supreme" Much like Vibroplex Original.	.	.
Ujiie, Toshihiko: JA7GHD	Sendai City, Japan	2000s	"GHD Bug" 'Cassic' & 'Ulimate' semi- and full automatic models.	.	.
Vaile, J.	Burwood, Victoria, Australia	1950s	AUTOPLEX: Modern looking bug with enclosed frame and damper.	.	.
Vibrax	Italy	?	Model 03 has oval base, aluminum hardware and blue paddle. Model 02 has rectangular base. Thick round uprights for all adjustment and contact screws.	.	.
Wilcox, Fred	Canada	?	Many variations including rectangular, oval, and triangular based models.	.	.
Wilson Mfg. Co.	Toronto, Canada	1940s	Model 10F/7380 made for RCAF in WW-2. Can be turned on its side for use as straight key or inverted for left-handed operation.	.	.