The Alessi Sapper 9091 Kettle is famously known as the Train Whistle Kettle because of the two note sound it makes when it boils. Designer Richard Sapper based it on Rhine River boat sounds of his boyhood Germany.
The Sapper Kettle was the first kettle ever released by iconic Italian design company Alessi. It was also arguably the world's first kettle to be considered as a piece of art. It was released in 1984, and the whimsical pitch pipe whistle also led it to be acclaimed as initiating the playful design movement of the late 20th century.
There was also something else that made this kettle famous – it was a $399 kettle that you couldn't use. The stainless steel trigger mechanism got too hot to pull. After twenty five years Herr Sapper has finally stopped being stubborn and put a covering over the trigger. As of 2011, you can use this gorgeous thing as well as look at it. It's now perfect.
The Alessi Sapper Kettle holds 2 litres of water, measures 16.5cm wide x 19.0 cm high. It's in mirrored stainless steel with a cool polyamide handle. The base is copper and stainless steel, and works on all stovetops except induction. The kettle's famous whistle is in brass and comes with a spare set of pitch pipes (with extra sets available as long as Alessi exists).
Crucial Trivia Alert : As this beautiful kettle boils it blows an E note, then a B note. In music theory this is known as a Perfect Fourth – most famously heard at the opening of Here Comes The Bride... and Advance Australia Fair. You can hear how it sounds on a very fine YouTube video http://youtube.ng/watch?v=bVcUO87yA6M
· Permanent Collection, Triennale Design Museum, Milan
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