Computer
Does any one know what kind of computer the mother was using at the office? I've never heard of one that took a key to turn it off and on before...
shareHaven't been around long enough, then. The key was fairly common in business computers, say, pre-90's -- locked the power off, as a security measure...but it was fairly easy to bypass if you knew the inside of a comp and how to work a screwdriver, so manufacturers eventually gave up on that fad. As to what kind it was...think "really old."
shareAlternatively, it could also deactivate the keyboard (which, on the old DOS based systems, effectively locked any unauthorized users out). This was a favorite tactic of computer shops to make sure no one deliberately or inadvertently damaged a system before it was sold.
share