Page 18 - Ben Mcfarlane

In 2020, ACME Whistles was proud to celebrate 150 years of whistle making, and in all that time we have played an unexpected role in some of the most culturally and historically important events of recent generations. We are most proud of the fact that we were able to support our troops and allies throughout WWI and WWII, and continue to support the Royal British Legion today through our sales of the Peace Whistle.

The ACME Clicker

To get a more complete picture of the links between ACME Whistles and WWI and WWII we will first look into the background of one of our most iconic products: the Clicker. The 101st American Airborne Division was scheduled to take part in a top secret mission in June, 1944. These highly skilled light infantry soldiers were required to parachute into dangerous territory under the cover of night. Unable to use regular communication methods, the division needed a means of communicating with one another without giving away their positions.

ACME Whistles were tasked

Here at ACME Whistles, we have a long and celebrated history when it comes to producing industrial whistles of all kinds, and to this day we are able to offer a versatile range of such whistles. These highly specialised pieces of equipment are produced in our UK-based factory, largely using traditional hand tooling methods and our original manufacturing equipment.

You might be surprised by just how widespread the use of whistles is in the industrial sector. Though they are a relatively simple piece of equipment, they are incredibly useful and versatile, and can be applied in many sectors, either as integral parts of machinery or commonly as features within robust health and safety features in the workplace.

What makes industrial safety whistles ideal for the workplace?

One of the things that makes whistles particularly suitable for industrial applications is the fact that they produce aeroacoustic sound, meaning that the only thing required to produce the whistling sound is air. This is

Aside from the school bell, the call of a whistle is one of the most iconic sounds from our school days and it remains so today. From school sports days, to signalling the end of break times and other practical applications, teachers and school support staff have long used whistles in the academic setting to communicate with their students, and indeed other teachers at times. In such settings, there is a need for equipment that won’t let you down, whether you are in a classroom actively teaching a lesson, on the sports field playing a sport, or in the school yard at lunch time.

Our range of beautifully crafted whistles have been long-time favourites with teachers and other school staff, and have earned a reputation for quality construction and a crisp sound that grabs attention. While the classic models feature a bright nickel plated finish, we truly have something for everyone including colourful, shatterproof plastic whistles, extra loud whistles, whistles with thumb grips, whistles that

The UK has a long and colourful sporting history, and it’s something that many of us are rightfully proud of. From our cup-winning football teams to our international prowess in national favourites such as rugby and cricket, there are many things to celebrate about this cultural phenomenon.

The global popularity of many sports has roots in Britain, which was instrumental in popularising many sporting events throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, the modern game of football has its origins in the UK, more specifically England, and the Football Association which is the game’s first governing body was founded in the mid 1800s in England.

ACME Whistles is proud to have played a part in this sporting history in years gone by, and remains heavily involved in supplying professional standard whistles for a range of well-loved sports. Sports whistles need to be of a superior quality so that referees, umpires and invigilators can be confident that their whistle will be a reliable means

Training your dog properly is an important part of owning and looking after a dog. By making sure your dog, whatever the breed, knows what is expected of them in terms of behaviour is the best way to ensure their and your safety, and the safety of other people and animals you may encounter in your day to day lives.

There are several basic commands that every dog should know, no matter their age or size, including sit, lie down, stay, come and wait. These basic commands are more about safety than anything else, and will help to ensure your dog is properly under your control at all times. Most people like to get these out of the way early on before teaching the more fun tricks such as give paw, roll over, and beg.

As a dog owner the chances are you use a whistle to facilitate their training, or have at least considered using one. They are a fantastically versatile tool that makes it easy to communicate with your dog clearly and over long distances, and the best part is that because dogs have

ACME Whistles, originally known under the name of founder Joseph Hudson, has been manufacturing whistles for more than 150 years and occupies a unique position in history. What started off small has grown to become a world-class company that is known for innovation and industry-leading ideas, and is going from strength to strength to this day.

We are proud of our manufacturing history and to have played an important role in some pivotal times for the UK, Europe and further afield. For example, our Metropolitan Police whistle is a true icon that had an impact on the development of modern policing, and the ACME Thunderer is widely used in many top level sports tournaments around the world.

These are just a few examples of the important yet often overlooked role that whistles have held over the course of recent history, forming part of the ACME Whistles story. One thing we are often asked about is the differences between our most popular whistles; more specifically, what the differences are

It seems that every year there are more reports of minor incidents taking place at airports and other aviation-related premises around the world. In part, this can be put down to changes in the ways that flights are handled since the global pandemic, especially in sectors that have seen a reduction in the available workforce. Issues such as reduced staffing levels have presented unique challenges that need to be addressed by those working in the sector.

There can be no denying that out of all the transport sectors, aviation is one of the most tightly and rigorously controlled in terms of health and safety. A lot is potentially at stake in an airport or airstrip including passengers, staff, and the aircraft and associated infrastructure. Aviation is also expensive, and stakeholders understandably want to make sure their investments are protected by ensuring operations are as safe as possible, something that is potentially hindered when staffing levels are less than desirable.

When it comes

Whistles are a wonderfully diverse tool that have almost unlimited applications. From sporting events to dog training, and from safety and survival to hunting and countryside pursuits, there is a beautifully engineered whistle to suit whatever activity you are engaged in. ACME covers all bases with our impressive and diverse range and we have forged a reputation for being the most trusted and well-known whistle maker in the world.

Our heritage spans more than 150 years, and to this day our whistles are manufactured at our UK-based factory by skilled craftspeople. While we produce a collection of contemporary whistles that are built for a modern age, some of our classics have been in production since the 1800s and are an enduring symbol of our founder Joseph Hudon’s innovations.

More than just whistles

A whistle by itself is generally a small but important piece of equipment. Due to their size and portability it is easier than you might think to lose them; so we have produced a complete

If there is one use for whistles that can be beneficial to a huge number of people it is their use as a safety or survival tool. Any outdoorsman, safety expert or search and rescue worker will tell you that a reliable, loud whistle can be the simplest yet most effective way to guarantee your safety in a range of situations.

Whether you need to use a loud safety whistle to signal for help, or simply use it as a tool to communicate with friends or team members over large distances or in noisy environments, they are an affordable addition to anyone’s outdoor or survival kit. They can very much make the crucial difference in an emergency situation.

In addition to our classic whistles, we have also engineered a contemporary range of safety and survival whistles that are perfect for ramblers, mountaineers, kayakers, boaters, and anyone else who may find themselves in challenging settings.

Building a safety or survival kit

When creating a safety or survival kit, the most important consideration

With an impressive 150-year pedigree, ACME is the number one manufacturer of beautiful, exceptional whistles in the world. Not only are our whistles reliable, gorgeously made and honed to perfection, many of them also have a fascinating history. For example, our Metropolitan police whistle has been an icon of policing in the United Kingdom since the Victorian era, and the ever-popular ACME Thunderer has called time on some of the most important World Cup football matches and sporting events in living memory.

Perhaps one of our more unusual yet enduring whistle designs is the boatswain’s (or bosun’s) whistle. This whistle has a sound unlike any other in the world, and is steeped in a rich history. In ancient times, similar whistles were used by the Greeks and Romans to convey orders to oarsmen aboard their vast galleys. The beauty of these piping whistles is that the sound was able to carry over the background noises aboard such vessels, allowing commands to be followed without confusion.