J. Hudson and Co
J. Hudson and Co (Whistles) Ltd, of Barr Street, Hockley, Birmingham, manufacturer of Acme whistles.
1870 Company established by Joseph Hudson. Made an improved Boatswain's call
1883 Made the first police whistle, "The Metropolitan", for the Metropolitan Police.
At one time Charles Hudson was Works manager.
1884 Moved to 131 Barr Street
1884 Made the world's first sports whistle, The ACME "Thunderer".
1888 Took over the business of Nash, Bond and Co
1895 Introduced the ACME Siren (nicknamed "the cyclist’s road clearer")
1897 Introduced the brass reed Adjustable Duck Call
1904 Made whistles for W. Dowler and Sons
1909 The World’s first Airfast (no pea) Referee Whistle
1917 Self-Locating Tank whistle
1925 Stentor Megaphones
1927 Submariner's whistle
By 1930 the product range included just over 300 different whistles.
1935 Introduced the "Silent" Dog whistle
WWII The ACME "Cricket" for D-Day landings
1949 J. Hudson and Co (Whistles) Ltd was incorporated
1949 The World’s first waterproof lifesaving whistle
1950 Special working-dog whistle
1960 ACME Pressure Warning Whistle
1970 Adjustable Finger-Grip Whistle
1980 Tornado Airfast Whistle
1986 Hand Operated Mine Rescue Whistle
1990 Multi-sound effect air whistle
2000 Tornado 2000 Whistle
2009 Gem-set jewellery whistles
2014 Hellova Safety & Marine Whistle.
2021 The company is still trading. Produces the ACME "Thunderer".
See Also
- Company website [1]
Sources of Information
- Birmingham’s Industrial heritage by Ray Shill. Published by Sutton Publishing 2002. ISBN 0-7509-2593-0