ACME Whistles
Over 150 Years of Sound Development
In the 1860s, Joseph Hudson, who was a Birmingham trained toolmaker, converted his washroom at St. Marks Square, which he rented for one shilling and six pence per week, into a workshop. Here he did anything he could to supplement the family income from watch repairing to cobbling shoes.
For reasons now lost in the mists of antiquity, whistles were his passion.
The Boatswain Pipe was first designed in 1870. It was used to give commands to the crew of ships. The high-pitched notes can be heard in the worst gales. Today it is used mostly for ceremonial purposes.
In 1883 the London Police were looking for an idea to replace the hand rattle. Inspired by a sound derived from his violin, Joseph Hudson created the perfect sounding whistle for police use. A slightly jarring, discordant trill, that would be unique and far-carrying.
When tested by the Metropolitan Police in London, the whistle was heard over a mile away and immediately adopted as the official whistle of the London Bobby. It can still be seen on duty in the streets of London, and occasionally even heard.
In 1884 the ACME Thunderer, the world's first pea whistle, was launched. Offering total reliability, control and power to the referee, it is now the world's biggest selling whistle.
There is not a major league sport that has not been graced by this whistle.
The ACME Siren, sometimes known as the cyclist's road clearer, was introduced in 1895. The unmistakable sound still finds numerous uses today.
From tribal dances to marine signalling, this complex whistle made with watchmaker's precision, was the beginning of the ACME range of orchestral whistles and musical sound effects that remain popular to this day.
Up until the 1930s, dog whistles had not been specialized. Almost anything that made a sound was used. In 1935 ACME invented the Silent Dog Whistle, another world first.
Having a highly tuned and adjustable frequency range has made this the most effective whistle for trainers to communicate with their dogs, dolphins or whales.
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