Signal Electric MFG. Co. R- 68 Price $3.40(1941) $5.20(unknown year) When this item was made it originally came with a cover for the black buzzer at the bottom left in the picture at the left. As can be seen, the cover is missing from the specimen featured on this page. R- 68 Code Practice Set A March 1941 Signal Electric MFG. CO. sales ad states the following: "Designed for those who want a well made instrument to learn the code. Set consists of a key and high frequency buzzer mounted on a mahogany finished wood base equipped with binding posts. The code is printed on a plate and fastened to the base between the key and, buzzer. The adjustable buzzer is type R-60 having a resistance of 2 ohms." Another Signal Electric MFG. CO. sales ad(unknown date) states the following: "For the beginner who desires a carefully designed and well made code practice set. Consists of a good key and an adjustable high frequency buzzer mounted on a mahogany finish wood base equipped with binding posts and rubber feet. The code is printed on a plate and fastened on the base between the key and buzzer." List price is $5.20. This ad can be seen below. The connectors are for headphones and a power source. Notice also the bronze colored metal plate. This has the manufacturers name on it as well as the Morse alphabet. Signal Electric MFG. Company: The Signal Electric MFG. CO. began in the 1892 in Menominee, Michigan as the Menominee Electric Co. At that time the company built and sold Crank telephone generators, telephones and switch boards. In 1904 the original plant was destroyed by fire and operations are temporarily moved to Marinette, Wisconsin. Once the plant was reopened he product line was expanded to include Telegraph Instruments and Wireless Radio devices. In 1919 Menominee Electric Co. is reorganized and renamed the Signal Electric Manufacturing Co. and also expanded their product line at this time. In 1952 King-Seeley Thermos Co. purchases the Signal Electric Manufacturing Co. On June 1st, 1964 King-Seeley Thermos announces that it will close the Signal Electric Division in Menominee, Michigan. Oct. 30th, 1964 The Vernco Corporation of Tennessee agrees to purchase the Signal Electric Division from the King-Seeley Thermos Co. In December 1977 Emerson Electric company purchases the Vernco Corporation of Tennessee. On September 9 2004 Emerson announced the closing of the Menominee facility by the end of 2005 and will move production to Mexico. | 
