Kevin T. O'Connor clears FRED (Frequently Read Editorial Device) the AP Teletype in the morning - Main hallway airlock. Photo by Mike Williams

It was used (in many radio stations) to sort wire copy from FRED, our Frequently Read Editorial Device, or Associated Press wire machine.

Each nail was labeled, typically as: World/National, State, Sports, Weather, Features. It was part of the routine to clear the wire, or remove the print-out from the Teletype® machine. It was one continuous paper feed and had to be sorted into the various categories for possible use later on-air.