Have you ever wondered how the ball gets inside a whistle? Take a personally guided tour of the only whistle factory in the United States where metal whistles are made. For approximately 45 minutes, you will see a thriving, small, American manufacturing plant and be entertained with interesting information about whistles and fascinating machinery – some state of the art, some dating back to the beginning of the company. Best of all – everyone leaves with a shiny new “American Classic” whistle!
Don't forget to read our free
monthly magazine
Click here to sign-up for your free
subscription
Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler eMagazine
by Robert Carpenter
In recent years whistle blowers have gotten a lot of attention. Usually the shrillness forewarns of scandals that make few people happy regardless of which side of the whistle they’re on.
However, there is a company in Columbus where whistle blowing in not only encouraged, it’s their whole purpose of being, and everybody is cheerful because of it.
The American Whistle Corporation makes those warbling whistles that you’re so thrilled to hear when the other team has committed a foul—the kind that policemen use to direct traffic and lifeguards blast as a warning at the pool. It’s the sound that has become synonymous with fair play, social order, and guidance that benefits our daily lives.
As popular as these whistles are, you might think that there are dozens of producers cashing in on the market—but you would be wrong. The American Whistle Corporation is the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the United States, with more than a million coming off the assembly line every year.
It originated in 1956 as Colsoff Manufacturing, and under the present ownership it has prospered since 1987, primarily because they make an exceptionally high quality product.
The truth is that business owners really do not like competition. At the same time, they admit that rivalry is the driving force behind better, less expensive, and more innovational products.
In a field with limited competitors, it is an unusual commitment to business ethics that American Whistle has not lessened quality, inflated prices or outsourced to Bangladesh. This is a small company exemplifying the work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit of our country.
All of their whistles are made of solid brass that can be plated with a number of different finishes including 24K gold. Brass is a rather expensive material, but it has the best tone and resonance quality of any metal, and of course is far superior to plastic or wood. It is the same reason that brass is used for musical instruments. It may require a little polishing once in a while, but it makes these whistles virtually indestructible.
While the trilling sound is commonly equated with virtuous activity, it’s true that one of these devices in the hands of a three-year-old will drive you absolutely nuts in about five minutes—but that’s the whole point. The sound simply cannot be ignored.
It’s the reason the American Whistles are official gear of the Boy Scouts of America, and recommended for hikers, campers or anyone subjected to possible danger. You may lose your voice, but as long as you have a breath, the sound of these whistles can be detected. When you can hear a referee’s signal inside a stadium of fifty thousand roaring fans, that’s a real whistle.
All whistles work basically the same, and the longer the instrument, the lower the note will be. Physicists explain it with a mathematical formula, but in layman’s terms, the air at the closed end “piles up,” or is compressed, and when it escapes through an orifice, it vibrates at a frequency that can be heard.
The so called “pea whistle” was invented by an English referee of soccer games more than a hundred years ago. The little ball inside ricocheting from one surface to another interferes with the airflow and makes the unique quavering note that demands attention. Think about the ringing of your telephone. Without the ball, the simple flat tone could get “lost.”
These whistles seem rather low-tech in today’s world, but production involves some state-of-the art robotics. Mostly however, they are completed with the use of brute force and good old-fashioned hands-on, labor-intensive care—something that American Whistle is proud of.
They encourage the public to go through their manufacturing facility and see how the whistles are made. The tours are personally guided interactive events. A complete review lasts about 45 minutes and is tailored to suit any and all ages. You’ll see how the 30-ton presses shape the components, and are able to stamp precise logos for specific customers. They’ll also show you the plating process and explain the synthetic material they’ve developed to replace the common cork ball. Their man-made substance doesn’t deteriorate, expand or contract. It resists moisture and never gets stuck. It seems like a small thing, but it makes their whistles “never-fail” mechanisms.
One of the questions curiosity never allows to go unasked is: “how do you get that ball inside the whistle?” Of all the fascinating things you’ll discover, that answer is the highlight. It can’t actually be claimed as a secret, because it is revealed—but only to the people who come for the tour.
And as it should be, the best part of the tour is saved for last. Before leaving, everyone is presented with a shiny new “American Classic” whistle—something you can keep for a lifetime.
In our current society, which is inundated with the ever-expanding power of electronic technology, a gadget powered by nothing more than your own breath may seem out of synch. But the next time you dial your cell phone and discover the battery is dead—just stick one of these whistles in your mouth and blow—guaranteed, someone will come running.
The American Whistle Corporation is located at 6540 Huntley Road Columbus, Ohio. Reservations are required. For more information, go to www.americanwhistle.com or call 800-876-2918.