The zoo key is a large novelty key used to activate talking storybooks at American zoos. These were used by various zoos, largely in the latter half of the 20th century, as part of a system which played audio recordings describing exhibits. The keys were typically made from brightly colored plastic in the shape of animals, although some zoos issued the keys in non-animal shapes. The first generation of keys were in the shape of an elephant, with the trunk being the blade of the key. This was commonly known as "Trunkey the Elephant" (sometimes spelled Trunky). At the Cleveland Zoo, it was called "Packey". Installations included zoos in Portland (see Packy), San Francisco, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and New York. Children's Fairyland The system was invented and patented by Bruce Sedley (1925–2012), in response to a request from William Penn Mott of the Oakland, California, Park Department. Originally known as "Talking Storybooks", (and implemented with a different shaped key), the first version of the system was installed at Children's Fairyland in 1958. Predating the Talking Storybooks, Children's Fairyland had a similar system based on coin-operated record players, which would frequently break down. Sedley devised a more reliable implementation using the more modern magnetic tape system, with the audio program recorded on a tape loop. The concept was based on message repeater devices Sedley was using in his recording studio. The first units produced used Sedley's voice; later production switched to using celebrity voices. As of April 2018, the system is still in use there, with new "Magic Keys" available for purchase at $3. A version of the Talking Storybook system is still being produced as of 2020, manufactured by The Talking Storybook Company, in Santa Cruz, California. Sedley later went on to invent a magnetic door key, an early version of room keys commonly used in hotels. San Francisco The San Francisco Zoo was one of the first customers, installing 40 units in 1959. It was at this point that the "Talking Storybook" name was first used. The storyboxes played the "All the animals at the zoo are jumping up and down for you" jingle. This tune was also used by other zoos, as in a TV commercial for the Philadelphia Zoo. Philadelphia The system was installed at the Philadelphia Zoo circa 1959 and was prominently featured in a TV commercial of the era. This original installation