What Became of the Steer Horn Switch Hook?
Early in the first decade of the 20th century switch hooks changed from the prong (fork or steer horn) type to the type seen on the Tele No 150 and others - solid round ends or loops.
Why the change? It might have been fashion but I have always assumed it was a safety issue. I was wrong. I came across an advertisement for Kellogg equipment that stated this:
The ends of the hook are ring shaped, and are made of sufficient diameter to prevent their accidently entering the aperture of the receiver ear-cap, and thus denting the diaphragm.
If the diaphragm were dented, the receiver would probably no longer work necessitating an expensive call-out for repair.
