2001: Memory Deactivation Key
The Story behind my finding isn’t THAT spectacular~.
Actually I was searching for a new prop project, so I took a closer look at the memory deactivation key from the scene where Bowman shuts HAL down bit by bit.
One day I showed some reference screenshots to the owner of the second HAL panel I’ve made and to my surprise he recognized the particular shape of the key and he told me that he actually owns a pair of these, but never noticed it in the movie before. -> pure luck
Here is my spare key:
The Key belongs to a lock, which was produced by a company, which is an expert on lock systems since the 18th century and still is today.
Lock comparison
The characteristic triangular keyholes in the movie are pretty similar to the one I’ve got.
So I would say, regarding the shape of the key itself and the shape and function of the lock, I’m pretty sure that this type of key from the late 60s is the basis for the memory deactivation key used in 2001.
The original key handle has probably been tailored and the knurled area has been stuck into the custom aluminum key handle. The length from the knurled area to the key tip is equal to the dimensions of the screen used key shaft.
That could also be a hint that this key is the right one.
With the key dimension as a reference, I could easily determinate the key handles dimensions from screenshots that show the key from different sides.
What followed were some hours on a milling machine and a lot of polishing work^^
Here’s the result:
AP-333~
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[old post] My next project:
Memory Deactivation Key from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I already own the original key as used in the movie...
(found it by accident )
- Aluminum key handle to be done~
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