K E Y O F T H E D A Y
As Americans fell in love with the open road after WWII, aftermarket producers began making highly stylized blanks, often for sale at gas stations.
One of my personal favorites, this 'switchblade' key was purchased after-market for a 1950s Cadillac El Camino.
These keys are all cut on blanks made by Yale, customized with the name and address of the participating locksmith.
Some locksmiths, hardware stores and other retailers ordered blanks embossed with their name, address and/or phone number.
Note the names stamped on these keys (some are admittedly hard to read). These are hand-stamped by the person or businesses cutting the blank.
"Made Fors" are keys (and locks) made for use by other manufacturers. Office furniture, cash registers and jukeboxes are popular examples.