Yes, that self-canceling feature was a good one.

Years ago Blackburn sold a little plastic stepped wedge called a "Stop Block". You pulled the front brake lever and jammed this thing into the space between the top of the lever and the lever body which kept the brake clamped on. The several steps allowed it to fit snugly in whatever gap was available. It wouldn't immobilize the fork but did keep the wheel from rolling and would keep the bike stable if leaned against almost anything. It was super light and cheap but brifters usually weren't compatible with it.