Acme Whistles, originally established as J Hudson and Co in 1870, has been a leading manufacturer of premium quality whistles in the UK for over 150 years, with a product range catering for musical theatre and orchestras, sports officiating, security, dog training and more.
The sustained popularity of Acme’s whistles across three different centuries is a testament to their enduring quality, which is trusted by major organisations like the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence, the RNLI and FIFA. Still operating from their original headquarters in Birmingham, Acme continues to set the global standard for reliability and innovation in whistle manufacturing.
The first Acme whistle
In the 1870s, the London Police were keen to find a better way for the “Bobby on the Beat” to communicate with nearby colleagues when in need of help; Joseph Hudson’s first Police whistle provided the answer. Easily heard over a mile’s distance, 100% reliable, distinctive identifiable sound, attention grabbing and authoritative, the original Acme police whistle fit the bill perfectly. Astonishingly, just one year after inventing it, Joseph Hudson had already taken orders for over 250,000 whistles and was employing 50 people in his Buckingham Street factory!
The Acme police whistle, although no longer used on the force, survives to this day. Often used in school theatre productions or sports days, it retains the same iconic design and brilliant projection that it had back in the 19th century.
Origins of the thunderer whistle
First advertised in 1884 as ‘a new way to talk to the players’, the Acme Thunderer was the first sports whistle. The pea inside makes for a piercing, trilled sound, ideal for cutting through the melee of a rowdy football match. Whilst the thunderer whistle is most famously used by referees, it has a variety of other applications, including for dog trainers and even private security workers – this versatility has been a big factor in keeping it popular in the modern day.
These two titans, the Police Whistle and the Thunderer, were the foundations that the Acme brand was built upon, but they are by no means the only popular products the company makes…
The tri-tone samba whistle
This is our best-selling whistle, made by Acme for Percussion Plus. With its powerful high-pitched sound, it’s a perfect addition to Latin music groups, pairing especially well with the Izzo samba range to provide an extra layer of Brazilian atmosphere. Robustly built and featuring a handy neck lanyard, the samba whistle is a real favourite in music education settings.
The bird calls
Imitations of birds are a popular trope in classical music. While many of these are achieved with woodwind instruments, sometimes a more specific piece of kit is required, especially in modern compositions. Acme’s range of bird call whistles caters very well for these situations. A performance of John Cage’s experimental Water Music might include both Acme’s duck call and slide whistle, and the latter makes an appearance in Ravel’s single act opera L'enfant et les sortilèges. This crow and rook whistle is great for musical sound effects too, but can also be used by wildlife photographers looking for a decoy!
The dog whistles
In the 20th century, Acme branched into the world of dog training whistles. Working in collaboration with expert trainers, they have developed various dog whistles suited to different breeds and purposes. These include:
- Acme Alpha 4850Hz dog whistle - Ideal for Labradors and Retrievers
- Acme Alpha 5900Hz dog whistle - Especially effective with spaniels and older dogs
- Acme 'Silent' brass dog whistle - quiet for humans but loud for dogs, beautifully designed
Popular with both professionals and amateurs, these whistles are a fantastic addition to the Acme range, and they’ve produced a suite of helpful dog training videos to go along with them: Acme Kennels!
And the rest!
I could go on for some time Acme’s fun range of products, but this would become a very long article. Instead, I’ve picked out a few of the most interesting for you to take a further look at:
- Acme brass Shepherds lip whistle - Popular at sheep dog trials with a resonant and durable brass construction. Unlike other Acme whistles, this one actually sits inside your mouth when you play it.
- Acme small harking motor horn with bulb – Acme doesn’t just make whistles! This is played by squeezing the bulb for a raucous, attention-grabbing sound effect that comes in handy in many a musical.
- Acme brass clicker - Initially a simplistic children's toy, then a jazz musicians’ metronome, this clicker was eventually conscripted into the D-Day landings as a signaller to friendly troops under the cover of dark. What a fascinating (and surprising) progression!
- Acme nightingale call – produces an amazingly authentic nightingale call which is perfect for ornithologists and studio recording use. It also requires an interesting technique to get the best sound...
There are plenty more interesting whistles and sirens to peruse here.
In conclusion…
Acme Whistles remains a shining example of British manufacturing excellence, combining tradition and innovation to create products that truly stand the test of time. From the pioneering police whistle that revolutionised communication on the beat to the iconic Thunderer that has ruled over sports arenas for decades, Acme has consistently led the way in whistle design and craftsmanship. Whether you are refereeing a football match, training a dog, organising a school production, or just an admirer of finely crafted tools, Acme offers something for you.