Diaphragm Mouth Harps: The Unsung Heroes of Hunting Since the 19th Century
Hunters have long mimicked animal sounds for hunting. In the 19th century, the company Radcliff, based in the United States, popularized a unique tool: the diaphragm mouth harp. This invention, using thin latex reeds, revolutionized hunting calls.
The story begins in the 1860s with S. McClain's patent for a whistle using thin skin or bladder stretched over a frame. This design laid the groundwork for modern mouth calls. Fast forward to the 1920s, H.P. Bridges of Baltimore started selling a sound-making device using thin rubber in a frame, marking the birth of diaphragm-style calls.
Jim Radcliff of Mobile, Ala. played a significant role in popularizing these calls. After meeting a street ventriloquist using a thin latex reed in the 1950s, Radcliff was inspired to create his own version. Today, hunters use diaphragm calls for various animals. Elk hunters often prefer thicker latex or multiple reeds for volume and durability, while turkey hunters opt for thinner reeds.
Diaphragm calls, initially using latex from condoms due to its ultra-thin nature (0.002-0.003 inches), have become essential tools for hunters. Proper care, including keeping calls in a case and replacing old calls, ensures their longevity. Creativity also plays a role, with hunters even using condoms to clean gun barrels. As hunters continue to innovate, the humble diaphragm call remains a testament to ingenuity and adaptation.
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