History of the Dolphin Whistle

In the late 1970’s Steve Allerton left the frozen tundra of upstate New York on a rickety 24 ft. sailboat headed for Key West, FL. Four to six months should have been enough time to make the voyage, but because of economic challenges, a series of complicated love affairs, near death experiences, and the failure of at least thirteen outboard motors, it would be seven years before Steve would set foot in tropical paradise. On his trip down the Intracoastal Waterway, periodic dolphin encounters punctuated the long hours at the tiller as if to say…. continue on old soul.  Days of promise await you.

On his voyage, Steve lived by his wits as a street musician stopping in ports along the way. He made bamboo flutes and sold them. He played his music to anyone who would listen. In Baltimore he entered the jewelry trade drawing on his art school background to learn the skills of a bench man. After a few years he resumed his voyage.

Steve reached Key West in the early eighties. He immediately got a job as a jeweler in one of the local shops. The sea still beaconed him though. He acquired a little nicer boat and started a charter boat operation.  Life was good in the Keys, but things would get even better. The Eureka moment came one day out at sea. Dolphins drew near as they often did. Everyone on board was excited. 'If only I could talk or communicate with them in some way', Steve thought. It occurred to him. There were duck calls, bird whistles and dog whistles. Why not a Dolphin Whistle?

Months turned into years as Steve developed his invention. Using his jewelry skills he made prototypes. His knowledge of flutes and other musical instruments guided him toward what would produce a good sound. His encounters with dolphins provided insight into the mind and spirit of those intrepid creatures. The first whistles were made of silver and gold. They were beautiful but expensive and labor intensive. Even still, over the years people from all over the world bought Steve’s whistles.

More years went by. Steve dreamt of improving the whistle. The design crystallized in his mind but costs and technical problems kept the dream out of reach. A witch's caldron of hurricanes, floods, the death of friends and a family member, love lost and found, and a series of financial windfalls caused Steve to ask himself- 'If not now, when'? Another whirlwind of creativity ensued.

Today’s Dolphin Whistles are comfortable to wear, produce a beautiful tone, and are very reasonably priced. They are loud enough to ride on the wind and call out to all God's creatures- dolphins included. The end of a lifelong quest, an artistic achievement, it is a perfect object.