Nabisco Rin Tin Tin Morse Key

[Ham4CW]

Way back in the 1950's Nabisco would give these 'keys' away in packets of "Rice Honeys" breakfast cereal. Although it looks like a small telegraph key it is in actual fact a clicker.

As far as I am aware the bases of these 'keys' were always brown with the Rin Tin Tin legend across the front edge. On the bottom of the base it says "Made in U.S.A."

The arms of these keys could be green, blue, yellow, white or red.

Not a real key, but a good bit of fun all the same!

I would guess that any of the old line telegraph operators that were used to listening to a Morse sounder could quite easily carry on a conversation with them.

The lower photo has the Rin Tin Tin key next to an MFJ-557 practice unit for size comparison.

73, Mark...

 

[Ham4CW]

Managed to find a yellow version of the Rin Tin Tin 'key' from Nabisco.

Only three more colours to go...

73, Mark...

 

[Ham4CW]

After much searching I happened across one of the green versions of the RinTinTin 'keys'.

I think there is only the white and red 'keys' to go now, but having said that from time to time I see one of these clickers in a colour that's new to me, so there may be even more.

I found out that an empty box of Nabisco Rice Honeys sold for around $130 at auction (yes, just the empty box flattened out).

I'm trying to find a better image of the rear of one of the boxes as it shows Nabisco's clicker 'code' (a code they created for use with these 'keys').

What's the point? No idea, but I'm having fun in the process! ;D

73, Mark...