Whistle Categories > Fire Brigade Whistles
Where did fire brigade whistles originate?
Fire brigades have existed from Egyptian to Roman to the times of Napoleon Bonaparte in France. all were involved in some sort of firefighting, even combined with police forces. It followed this timeline when whistles are found to come of age in the UK.
Additionally came the early 1800s and the advent of a Great Britain firefighting era. So we see a convergence of firefighting services developing and whistle production capabilities growing together.
The first examples were limited by production which later gave way to more marketing supplies. So, we see round whistles, button whistles, possibly beaufort or conical giving way to tube shaped whistles clearly stamped and marketed to fire brigades. Most of these were developed in Great Britain.
At the same time less specific police/fire combination whistles appear with almost generic stamps as stating as such. The stamp Police/Fire being rather nonspecific, no fire brigade actually being named.
How are fire brigade whistles identified?
Fire brigade whistles that are directly associated with specific brigades are rare and by nature limited. We find them as beaufort or conical whistles, round whistles, button whistles and eventually tube shaped.
Early button whistles used fire brigade apparel buttons with cross axes. Later metal whistles have fire brigade stamps on them which could be very specific and even numbered.
Distributers who supplied fire brigade equipment issued them as part of their equipment. Some whistles have engravings which would be an indication of certain provenances.
Why were they made?
As with other services, signaling was imperative and needed to be provided during times of so much sound interference, the whistle being able to get attention even during the din.
Whistles could do more than call, they could sound alarm, direct attention or rally more help.
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