Magneto Switches

The earliest ignition locks arrived in the form of magneto switches. The locking mechanism was contrived by the manufacturer of the switch, usually an electric company. These "pseudo locks" used the same "key", which allowed only a little more security than no lock at all. Ultimately real locks were used, but switches with pseudo locks were available for more than three decades.

All of the switches here use some type of key with the exception of the Oakland switch. I include that one only because of its unusual installed location in the center of the steering wheel.

Kick Switches

A kick switch is just what its name implies - a switch that can be operated by kicking (nudging) it sideways with the foot. A kick switch usually has two operating positions - Battery and Magneto, either of which can be selected depending on the driving circumstances.

Plate Switches

A plate switch consists of a metal plate, often the "key", which can slide from one contact to another. The Atwater Kent switch pictured here is an example.