Q: Dear 100 Hour Board,
I have a question about something I stumbled across and read while doing research (or, at least I'm pretty sure I did) years ago, and I've been curious about it since. However, though I've tried to find more information about it, I've found nothing even remotely close since.
I almost think I remember reading about how, in the very early days of railroads (I think--possibly 1840s-60s?), that someone had made a patent for a new kind of steam whistle. I think I remember reading that, as opposed to a normal whistle, this one was something akin to a double-reed, possibly almost like an oboe or bassoon reed (which I would have to assume would have been made of metal), and producing a very different sound. Although I really have no idea, the words "1854" and "French patent" seem to stick out in my mind, but again, they may be way off.
So, my question is, do you suppose such a thing could have existed? I don't know if I may ever find out about it again, but, it also never hurts to ask.
-Dug Too Deep
A:
Dear digger,
All I could find about the use of metal reeds in train horns was this excerpt regarding how a particular invention worked:
Celadon Daboll, of New London, CT also developed the first practical power operated fog signal other than bells. Responding to an announcement of the newly elected U.S. Lighthouse Board he developed a compressed air fog trumpet. He powered his signal by horsepower or by hand. Daboll made two designs for his horse powered signal: one had a horse walking a ramp that compressed or pumped air into a holding tank, the other design required the horse to walk in circles, around the tank. Air could also be pumped into the tanks by hand. His first signal was placed aboard the Bartlett Reef Lightship off New London, CT and, not being practical for horses, was powered manually. When enough air pressure was present in the tank a valve was released and the air passed through a locomotive whistle or reed trumpet. The trumpet was similar in principle to a vibrating clarinet reed. However, the trumpet reed was steel, 10 inches long, 2 ¼ inches wide and tapered in thickness from one inch at the fixed end to ½ inch at the free end. The signal proved successful and 1851 a horse-powered signal was installed at the Beavertail, RI lighthouse as an experiment. Mr. Daboll apparently established the signal at his cost hoping for eventual approval and payment from the government.
I haven't been able to find anything about French patents for reed-operated whistles, or double-reed whistles. I don't see a whole lot of advantage in using a double-reed over a single-reed design, but as I am not a woodwinds player (or engineer), my opinion is not entirely helpful concerning this topic. If you're really interested in digging even deeper, you'll probably have to hit up a good library and/or subject librarian. There's a lot of info that is best accessed from a library.
Suerte in your ongoing quest,
--Ardilla Feroz
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