Vibroplex Company History:

A revolution in communication occurred with the development of the telegraph. However, the early telegraph keys used to send messages caused severe strain on the telegrapher's wrist - a condition now known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

In 1902, inventor Horace G. Martin patented the first in a line of devices which solved the problem: the Martin Autoplex, an electro-mechanical sending device which required batteries.

Two years later, Martin went into business with a group of entrepreneurs, forming the United Electrical Manufacturing Company. It was also in 1904 that Martin filed his second patent for a new sending device which used a weighted, vibrating arm and did not require the use of a magnetic coil or batteries. This device was the basis for the first Vibroplex.

In 1908, the association between Martin and U.E.M. ended when the latter went out of business. However, J.E.Albright, who began a business catering to the telephone industry in 1890, began marketing the Vibroplex for Martin. On March 12, 1915, Albright filed a certificate of incorporation in New York for the Vibroplex Company, Inc. Within a few short years, Vibroplex came to represent the best of the telegraphic, and later Amateur Radio, industry.

To read John Casale, W2NI's history of Horace G. Martin and Vibroplex, please connect to the internet and go to:
http://www.telegraph-history.org/horace-g-martin/index.html

Two notable books have chronicled the history of the Vibroplex Company:

Vibroplex Keys & Current Catalog:

Vibroplex Manufacturing Facilities in 2006:

The following photographs show some of the day-to-day operations of the company in 2006.
The company website: http://www.vibroplex.com always contains the very latest catalog of their telegraph keys, parts and repair services, and related material.

This is Felton "Mitch" Mitchell, W4OA, the President of the Vibroplex Company.
He is shown with his telegraph key collection. He is holding the new 100th. Anniversary Vibroplex Original.

Office Manager, Betsy Hopson, WB4ZYK, keeps up with all orders, email communications, and customer service. "Vibroplex prides itself on our customer service. Talking with the customers is my favorite part of the job. You meet the nicest folks, many from overseas, and make friends for life. It is especially nice to meet someone at a hamfest that you have been talking to for years!"

Maura Durant's job is to keep up with all the inventory and keep orders flowing to vendors and machinists. "This is a full time job, and it surely does help me to understand what goes into the making of a key and you can talk to customers better when you understand the parts."

Joan Turner is shown gathering parts for building keys. Vibroplex has nearly 400 parts in stock. Many parts are still available for obsolete keys. "Most parts are made by our machinist, Kevin Mills, while others are subcontracted. We also subcontract plastic fabrication, chroming and powder coating. Vibroplex is very fortunate to have Kevin Mills as our head machinist. He is a brilliant problem solver and attends to details and accuracy in all of his work."

This is machinist Kevin Mills standing in front of the computer controlled milling machine:

This is a front view of the FADAL Model VMC15XT Computer Controlled Vertical Milling Center:

These are damper arms, Original levers, and yokes waiting for machining:

These are Code Warrior Jr. top parts cut and ready for machining in the computer controlled milling machine:

Machining Vibrokeyer bases with the computer controlled milling machine:

This is a view of the 21 station tool turret in the computer controlled milling machine:

The computer controlled milling machine performing an automatic tool change:

Vibrokeyer Bases being drilled:

This is the radius tool rounding the tops of Vibrokeyer bases:

Manual mill facing of the tops of Original bases in preparation for chroming:

A closer view of the manual mill facing of the tops of Original bases in preparation for chroming:

Iambic, Vibrokeyer, Hand Key, and Original bases ready for chroming:

Drill Presses and the special fixture that is used for making Original levers:

A closer view of the special fixture that is used for making Original levers:

The 18 X 60 Lathe ready to begin making speed weights:

The 18 X 60 Lathe in the process of making speed weights:

The miniature lathe that is used for making trunion pins and other small parts:

Dot contact springs being formed by heat and quenched in an oil bath:

Most of the components of the keys are assembled in advance to speed the key making process. Liz Fearn puts together the mainframes for all of the key models. The lever arms, contact posts, and damper assemblies are all assembled in advance.

All Vibroplex keys are assembled by Joan and Liz. They may be put together one at a time or in groups of five to 10 at a time. They make about 10 - 20 keys a day. Vibroplex offers customizing, left handed keys and upgrades that include jeweled parts.

This is production manager Joan Turner in the Assembly Room.
Each key is assembled "lovingly" by hand. Then it is tested before shipping.

Liz Fearn makes sure that each key is properly packed for shipment. Vibroplex uses a special key insert and key box to secure the keys. Then they are double-boxed for shipping. Liz says "We have found that no matter how carefully an order is packed, the key may still be treated like a bowling ball by the carrier. We stand by our customers to help resolve any damage problems. That is why we strongly suggest that customers keep the original key box in case they have to ship the key in the future."

Maura checks keys in stock for shipping. Maura says "We make every effort to keep a quantity of each model of key in stock for shipping so that orders may be filled immediately. Sometimes, however, back orders for parts delay our ability to ship a key despite our best efforts."

This is Betsy Hopson, WB4ZYK, the office manager and refurbisher evaluating keys that have been sent in for refurbishing. "Our philosophy is not to do anything drastic to a key that would affect the age value and integrity of the key. That is why we refurbish rather that restore old keys. The biggest challenge to date has been several Hurricane Katrina keys that sat in salt water for days. In that case the bases had to be replaced, but the top parts were cleaned and allowed to show the corrosion spots as a reminder of what the key and owner had experienced. I also have a great time with an old key like the Model "X". Nothing is done to this key except for a good cleaning. Since each part is cleaned individually, it is fun finding ways to keep track of the parts and get them back together correctly!!" Betsy refurbishes about 40 keys a year.

This is the building that houses the Vibroplex Company in Mobile, Alabama in 2006.

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