Page 14 - Stories

ACME Whistles stands as the oldest and most renowned whistle manufacturer in the world. Among our impressive repertoire of whistles are two iconic creations: the Metropolitan Police whistle and the Scout whistle. These whistles, manufactured in Birmingham, hold immense historical significance and continue to play vital roles in communication and safety to this day.

The Metropolitan Police whistle: A symbol of order

In the late 1800s, Joseph Hudson, a keen inventor, noticed the Metropolitan Police's need for improved communication tools beyond the rattles commonly in use, and this inspired him to design the original Metropolitan Police whistle. The whistle's sharp and distinct sound quickly caught on in the force, proving to be effective in transmitting commands and alerts. It became an indispensable part of every officer's kit, allowing them to communicate efficiently in the line of duty.

The Metropolitan Police whistle's significance extended beyond its practicality; its association with

When you're working on or around water, or spend leisure time near inland or coastal waters, it's important to have a reliable whistle on hand. A good whistle can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. At ACME Whistles, we produce a range of whistles which are perfect for use in these challenging environments.

Whistle types

There are two main types of whistles: pea whistles and pealess whistles. Pea whistles have a small, pea-shaped ball inside the whistle's chamber which is made from plastic or cork. When you blow into the whistle, the pea vibrates and rolls within the chamber to produce a trilling sound. 

Pealess whistles, on the other hand, don't have a pea inside. Instead, they use a unique internal chamber design with strategically placed sound holes to produce a strong, attention-grabbing note. Pealess whistles can take a little more puff to operate, but you get an absolutely huge sound for relatively little effort. 

So,

When you are in need of sound solutions it makes sense to invest in the very best equipment, and this is exactly what ACME Whistles specialises in. Our whistles are known internationally for their unrivalled quality and innovative design, and over the years we have developed a range of whistles that is perfectly suited for every application. 

Whether you are looking for a single whistle for a specific purpose or are interested in becoming a retailer of one of the world’s most iconic brands, you’ll find a whole range of innovative, versatile and high quality options on our website. From niche and specialist whistles to general service whistles with countless applications, our range is designed to cover all the bases and provide practical, reliable sound solutions. 

While ACME is the oldest whistle manufacturer and has many world-firsts and innovative designs in the range, we are not the only company involved in manufacturing whistles. Our designs are often copied and manufactured to a

For over 150 years, ACME Whistles has been at the forefront of whistle manufacturing, producing some of the most innovative and iconic whistles in the world. As the oldest whistle manufacturer and world leader in whistle design, ACME has a rich heritage and a reputation for creating whistles that meet the needs of a wide range of customers, from sports referees to dog trainers.

One of the key areas in which ACME excels is in producing whistles for a variety of sporting applications, including football, hockey, netball, swimming competitions, school PE lessons and sports teams. Furthermore, our whistles are trusted by international associations such as FIFA, indicating their quality and effectiveness as well as their iconic status in the sporting world.

Whether you're a coach, referee, or athlete, ACME whistles provide superior sound and control, making them an essential tool for any sport. To ensure the best possible performance, each one of our whistles is thoroughly tested before being

Following years of development and more than 40 iterations, we are thrilled to have released our latest innovation in the world of whistles: The ACME ALPHA. This is a truly revolutionary dog training tool which is unlike any other on the market and we’re sure you’re going to absolutely love it. 

If you are familiar with our other best selling dog whistles then you’ll know that they are famous for their unrivalled quality and performance. The ACME ALPHA is based on two of our most popular dog whistles, the 210 ½ and 211 ½, which are loved by pet owners and trainers alike.

While the standard 210 ½ and 211 ½ models have a few visual similarities with the all new ACME ALPHA, there are plenty of key differences that are more than skin deep and represent a huge step forward in sound solutions for dog training. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the ACME ALPHA such an important innovation in dog training tools.

A closer look at the ACME ALPHA’s exterior

One of the first things you might notice

In the UK, whistle training has grown in popularity with many new dog owners listing it as a priority skill for their pup. Whether you are planning on whistle training your new pup or have an adult dog you’d like to form a closer bond with, whistle training can be an extremely useful skill for a dog to learn and will strengthen a trust-based relationship. At a time when dog owners are taking more responsibility for their animals, it can make a world of positive difference to the ways a dog behaves. 

One of the most important benefits of whistle training is that it allows for clear and consistent communication between a dog and their owner or trainer. A whistle’s call remains the same whether the caller is frustrated, happy, or indifferent, meaning that a sensitive dog will never be put off by a negative tone of voice. This leads to a dog gaining confidence and becoming more obedient which makes outings with your dog safer, more relaxed and more enjoyable. 

Furthermore, using a whistle

With more than 135 years of experience in designing and manufacturing whistles, ACME Whistles is a true stalwart of the British manufacturing industry. These days, the list of traditionally British-made products is shorter than ever before and much of our national manufacturing power has been moved overseas. In a market full of imports, we are proud that every ACME whistle is still manufactured to world-leading standards in Birmingham. 

We are firm believers in learning from our past and improving, but we also know that the old ways are still the best in certain instances. For example, the fact that most of our whistles are hand-tooled using original machinery means that each one gets the full, undivided attention of our skilled craftsmen and women. The result is a superior product that is built to last and guaranteed to work perfectly. 

The ACME Whistles best-selling models

We are keen innovators in the industry of sound solutions and over the years our designs have taken many forms.

We at ACME Whistles are a company of dog lovers and many of us share our homes and hearts with a four-legged friend or two. Dogs have evolved alongside us for thousands of years, so it’s no wonder that they have a reputation as mans’ best friend. Because we understand dogs, we know that they make the best working teams or companions when they are able to listen to their masters and follow commands. 

All dogs should achieve at least a certain level of obedience training. It is vital for the safety of the dog and for anyone else coming into contact with them that the dog is able to understand and perform the basics such as sit, stay, leave it, and wait. The temptation for owners of new puppies is to focus on the fun process of learning tricks, but the importance of obedience training should also be addressed early on. 

We have fine-tuned our dog whistles over the decades to ensure the reliability, consistency and performance of each model, making them an effective, practical tool in training

If you are shopping around for an unexpected and fun yet practical gift for a friend or family member then you might just find that the ideal present is a genuine ACME whistle. The value of a well-made, reliable whistle cannot be overstated, and the range of uses and applications for such a piece of equipment are extremely varied. 

ACME Whistles is a company with a long history of world-class whistle engineering and manufacturing, and over the years we have been able to create a core range that covers all the bases and provides a sound solution for any requirement. We may be a little biased, but we truly believe that our whistles make the ideal gift for any occasion. 

We have put together this gift guide for the spring and summer of 2023 to highlight some of our all time favourites, as well as placing the spotlight on our newest addition: the ACME ALPHA. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for a graduation, birthday, anniversary, or just because, we’re confident that you’ll love

ACME Whistles has a pedigree that can be traced back to 1935 when it comes to dog whistles. Today we are extremely proud to launch another world first: a reinvented take on our classic dog whistle called the ALPHA. The ALPHA is a new evolution in dog whistles which gives dog trainers and owners better control over longer distances.

We are dedicated to supporting dog owners across the country with our innovative, world-leading whistles and have worked closely with the UK’s best dog

trainers, including Ben Randall, to bring you a truly special dog training tool. The ACME ALPHA is 8% louder and delivers a clean, crisp sound which has expanded the sound range by 17% when compared to our original design.

We have demonstrated through rigorous testing and field trials that dogs can respond to the ALPHA’s call from distances of over 485 metres. To guarantee this result, the ALPHA has been four years in the making and has gone through 47 iterations to push the boundaries of what is possible while