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Revisiting the ACME D-Day Clicker
- October 11, 2022
The ACME Clicker is undoubtedly one of our most interesting and iconic pieces. While it may not technically be a whistle, it has been an extremely important part of our range since the 1940s and carries with it some truly fascinating history. Also known as the ACME Cricket, it is made from spring steel and has a thumb rest on one side. To operate the clicker you will hold it in one hand with the spring steel upwards against your thumb, and give it a firm press. This will flex the steel and put tension onto the metal which creates the clear sound.
As with all of our products, the Clicker has a role and function that is more important than you might think. If you have followed the history of ACME Whistles for the last few years you will know that we ran a campaign called ‘The Lost Clickers of D-Day’. If not, you might be surprised to learn that the ACME Clicker was used extensively as a WW2 clicker by 101st Airborne Division when flying over and landing in Normandy for the D-Day operations on 6th June 1944.
What’s the story of the D-Day Clickers?
As you can imagine, the operations due to take place on D-Day were top secret. When the military asked ACME Whistles to begin production of the clickers, the reasons for doing so were a matter of international importance and secrecy. The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division were equipped with clickers so that, when they landed behind enemy lines, they would be able to find and identify each other without alerting the enemy to their location. After the drop, a paratrooper would click once and if he received two clicks in response then he knew he was among friends and allies rather than enemies.
Following WW2, many of the ACME Clickers were put away for years and eventually forgotten about. Our campaign was designed to encourage people with family who were involved in the D-Day landings to look for their lost clickers, and form a community of people with a shared history. While many ACME Crickets were found, the chances are high that there are still more lying undiscovered in homes all over the world. If you ever come across one, be sure to let us know!
Modern uses for WW2 Clickers
Our WW2 Clickers certainly had a vital role in the D-Day operations, but they are still used extensively today for a range of applications. Perhaps most commonly they have found a lot of use among dog trainers and dog owners. Everyone has heard of clicker training, and while you can get alternative clickers for dog training they do not match the quality of the original ACME Clicker in terms of materials, build and sound. A more surprising use for the WW2 clicker is as a musical instrument or as a tool to create various sound effects. They have been used in orchestras as well as to provide specific sound effects for a variety of productions.
When you choose the ACME WW2 Clicker to assist in dog training or for musical purposes you can be assured that it will last you a very long time, as demonstrated by the durability of the rediscovered D-Day clickers. We are extremely proud of and confident in the quality of these clickers and still make them using the same techniques and much of the same tools and machinery as was used to create the originals. Unlike many manufacturers, it has been a priority for us that our products are true to their roots and so they are still made to our high standards in our UK factory.