Stevens & Sons Bell whistles, PART D. (To part A)
Francis West ( 1789–1867) Was the inventor of the Bell Whistle. ( 2017 News)
Located at 83 Fleet Street London, 1829 to 1845 (some say 1850), In 1836 He used ‘West Inventor’ on Improved stanhope Lens, (See photos), lens Made in Brass in German Silver & Silver. In 1839 he invented the Camera and also was a Publisher Optician and a man of many talents; a noted microscope maker, toy maker, and publisher. In 1939 he advertises a Fox Talbot ‘heliographic camera’ in The Mirror, the first camera to be offered to the public.
Is seems that the bell whistle was invented by him in the late 1930’s. It is first mentioned in a book written c 1847 as “The Acron whistle(Bell Pattern)”
(See Part A).
Here are 3 bell type whistles, Invented by F. West manufactured by Stevens & Sons, West probably sold these in his shop on Fleet st. In general these are miniatures inspired by the large steam whistles used on locomotives of early Victorian times.
3 Bell type whistles believed to be made by Stevens & Son, Though no whistle with his name was ever seen, but one may read about the possible reason here.
Continue reading The Bell Whistle, Stevens & Sons & Francis Webb the Inventor. Avner Strauss