Spotlight > By Whistle Category > Variety Whistle Articles > 004 Plural Whistle Design
Whistory
The plural ( originally called the ‘double’ ) whistle is a remarkable reconstruction of the classic tube-shaped whistle design.
Why a plural whistle is significant
In actuality, it is perpendicular to the mouthpiece. This design was patented in 1894 by Edward Lawley Parker ( manufacturer ) trading as Bent and Parker and William Wallace Twigg ( manager ) from Harper’s Hill Works ( 10828 ). This was done in the UK during the peak of the ‘golden age’ of whistle making there, 109 Northwood St Birmingham.
What is striking about the design is the novel approach to the attachment of the cylinder and the mouthpiece. The 2 diaphragms are facing each other and venting into the middle. Simple and yet a different approach altogether.
Who pioneered the concept of the plural whistle?
The name stamped has been used by Bent and Parker from the early 1880s on tube shaped whistles. True, many whistle models were made by Bent and Parker such as military dress two piece, police, general service, dated military, rounds and yet here was a totally unique design.
It is only found in pure nickel silver and the patent is stamped on the ends which continued in force till 1908. They also used a Police Alarm stamp and a Bent and Parker stamp.
Whistle Classification
| Category | plural |
| Order | Bent and Parker A.P. Hatch Joseph Hudson |
| Type | General Service (GSW) |
| Class | nickel silver nickel plated brass |
Whistle Archeology
Stamps
- The New Borough whistle
- Police
- Bent and Parker
The following is the patent for Bent and Parker:
Whistology
Plural Construction Patent
A patent by Alexander P. Hatch from the USA dated April 1, 1902 followed 8 years later. He held another patent for a tube-shaped whistle, but again here we step away from conventional whistle design. He designed one, two, and three notes, including two different plural construction whistles.
What an interesting whistle the three- ‘chamber’ model will be to hear. Presently no known examples have been found of the three-dimensional design, perhaps there was at least a one-off or prototype.
It took may years for an example to surface. This whistle is larger and heavier than Bent and Parkers. Nickle plated brass and a flatter mouthpiece.
Did the B& P influence this whistle design ?? Even if so, the more daring design of the three-dimensional patent surpasses it.
Hudson and Co.
Hudson and Co. came out with their own model # 513 and it is pictured in their 1935 catalog. How much earlier is unknown just yet, saying it was specially designed for ladies’ handbags. However, it follows the Bent and Parker design with minor variations.
The stamp is Osborne ltd. New St. B,ham with the addition of England stamped on the mouthpiece. The end caps are soldered on as caps and it is made of plated brass instead of nickel silver. There is also a top round knop as opposed to the small ring on top of a very small escutcheon.
A higher pitch is achieved with the Hudson and the sound is closer together, the B&P making a lower well separated dual tone. We would say the Bent and Parker was very well crafted.
Additionally, Hudson used endcaps.
Lastly a little known similar model, possibly German.
Conclusions:
What can we conclude from our study of plural whistles ?? To think outside the box. Whistle design can vary tremendously and still achieve good sound.
At the same time esthetics can also be maintained if not improved. This whistle was designed around the need to hold the whistle in the mouth better than a tube shaped whistle sticking outwards (also claiming to avoid getting caught in the mustache).
TWG
Posted February 1, 2013
Revised May 19, 2018
Revised October 10, 2020
Revised February 23, 2021
Revised December 27, 2021
Revised January 30, 2022
Bibliography:
Kew Garden Patent records
Reference Collection Whistle Gallery
Google Patents search
More Whistles, Martyn Gilchrist 2005
The Whistle Gallery archives
