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While not specifically steam whistles, two other types of whistles deserve mention. While somewhat different in their function, they were second cousins to steam whistles.
The two types of whistles I am referring to are automotive exhaust whistles and automotive explosion whistles. Both were novelty items used on early automotive gas engines. The exhaust whistles were attached to the exhaust system of the car and when a valve was opened by activating a mechanical linkage to a cut-out valve, the exhaust from the engine was vented through the whistle producing a mellow train-like sound. There were quite a number of manufacturers of exhaust whistles, the most prolific of which was the Fulton Co. of Milwaukee, which produced its famous Aermore whistle in various sizes and of various metals. This was actually a 4 bell chime whistles. Pictures at the left are three Aermore whistles of various materials, brass, steel, and some type of alloy. On the right is a 1913 Aermore magazine ad.
(Click on any of the images for larger images.)
The last type of whistle I will mention here is also not a steam whistle but looks very similar, and like the automotive exhaust whistles was a novelty item on old cars. This is the explosion whistle. These whistles were connected to the spark plug hole of the engine through an adaptor. When the valve to the whistle was opened the exploding gases in the cylinder discharged through the whistle blowing it. These whistles were generally made of aluminum or brass. The most notable company to produce explosion whistles was Buell.
(Click on any of the images for larger images.)
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