wiki research

wiki has become the fast food of research. Anyone can contribute and even though original info is taboo, it happens. Here are a few notes under whistle on Wikipedia :

‘Joseph Hudson set up his business in Birmingham in 1870, with his younger brother James. Around 1875, he designed the ‘Acme City’ brass whistle. This became the first referee whistle to be used at football matches during the 1878-78 Football Association Cup match between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield.’

Hmmmm…. since nothing is known about Hudson’s whistles prior to his breakout whistle contract of 1883, this would be a BIT inaccurate !!! In fact it isn’t even literate. Besides that ACME CITY was registered in 1907 – what would that be about THIRTY years later ??? THREE DECADES !!!!!!!! ——Just poke a sharp stick in my eye !!!!!

Worse yet it goes on …

‘In 1883 he began experimenting with pea-whistle designs that could produce an ear-splitting noise that could grab attention from over a mile away. His invention was discovered by accident, when he accidentally dropped his violin and it shattered on the floor. Observing how the discordant sound of the breaking strings travelled (trill effect), Hudson had the idea to put a pea in the whistle.’

OMG !!!! Really ?? A pea in a tube shaped police whistle ??? ARGH !!!!!! Help !!!!!  Have you ever seen a pea in a tube shaped whistle ?? EVER ???? …………..It only gets worse. Sorry I can’t read on anymore…

What’s the point ?? Research takes time and we can’t take wiki short cuts. Sometimes we just have to put things on hold.

So spread out and get several projects going at once. Have as many whistles to study as you can. Keep extensive notes and don’t rely on your memory !!!