The birth of the 'Saturn' water key began with the background clatter and hiss of CNC machines in my friend Brian's production-engineering factory. Always heralded by an aural fanfare when parking my motorcycle - to musicians, I'm and engineer, to engineers I'm a musician. Yes, he thought he knew what was needed. Nothing to block the exit hole when open; can be activated in any direction 360° left or right handed; minimum deformation to the fixed tube when closed - the whole thing designed for mass production - and no cork. Plus a complimentary flying pig with every purchase.
And so the 'Saturn' water key evolved. One fixing to the instrument.
Press on the ring in any direction (any hand) to dislodge email database the stainless steel helical sprung ball from its airtight seating. Virtually clear route from instrument to floor. Release ring and the stainless steel ball returns to its seating once again to make an air-tight seal.
Perhaps the ghosts of my old spring winder and his fellow craftsmen centuries earlier smiled on us, and will stop walking at night soon. It would be nice to know they look favourably on their modern colleagues. And who knows, our new Water Key might even prove popular.