Just Whistle

 August 2, 2022

Alton RV site 30

Galaway, Ohio (Columbus)

Travel day today, but not a very long pull with only 90 miles of highway as our goal.  It may sound like we are breaking in our new tire gently, but if you want to know the real reason for the short trip, read on.

Momma had read about the ONLY metal whistle factory in the USA....and a bonus...they offer tours on Tuesdays...at 1 pm.

Alton RV Park has contactless arrival mastered.  We received all the paperwork, including a site map with arrows guiding us to our pull thru site, via email.  After arrival, our card on file that had been used for our deposit was charged with the remaining balance.  Once again, email was used to receive our receipt of payment.  Smooth procedure for a smooth arrival.  And no need to have someone in the office for the few daily arrivals as it is a small park with only 40 sites; some occupied by seasonal campers.  We were encouraged to call or text for any needs or questions.  

Momma  and Dad got us all set up and my boudoir cooled down with our efficient new AC unit. And they even found time to kick back with a cup of coffee for Dad and cookie bones for me before heading 30 minutes on multiple roads ..okay....so it really was 35 minutes... to American Whistle Corporation .  You see, they had an issue locating the building, passing by it twice.  But the third time was the charm and they still had time to spare before the tour began despite all the u turns.  Dad was surprised at the small size of the factory building.  

The whistle making process involves flat rolls of metal

passing thru a machine that cuts the metal into pieces

that are then bent/shaped in a second machine.

 

It takes 3 additional machines including one that solders the pieces together

and one that puts the pea/ball inside the whistle cavity.

They also have machines that can produce plastic whistles in multiple colors.

But it doesn't end there.  They produce the lanyards and they even have a machine that encases the whistle, lanyard and mouth guard in sealed packaging, ready to be shipped to stores.  

Everyone on the tour....and we outnumbered the 4 employees about 10 fold....got to make a plastic whistle using the machine that melds the right half to the left half sealing the pea/ball in the middle.  No solder needed for the plastic whistles.  Dad mentioned that he wished he was allowed to get a bit closer to the machines to check out in detail all the moving parts.

Momma offered to demonstrate how loud her whistle is .....which according to our tour guide can be heard up to a mile away....but I told her no way was I listening to that loud racket.  Save it for when she is need of help.

I'm Chloe