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Acme

The is a fictional multinational that serves as a recurring gag in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated shorts, most notably supplying Wile E. Coyote with an endless catalog of absurd, malfunctioning products—such as rocket-powered roller skates, giant slingshots, and earthquake pills—in his perpetual, doomed pursuit of the Road Runner. The corporation's name originates from the Greek term akmē, signifying "peak" or "highest point," chosen by animator to evoke the idea of supreme quality and to capitalize on its alphabetical primacy in early 20th-century phone directories like the , where "Acme" would appear at the top of listings. Debuting in the , Acme quickly became synonymous with comedic , as its products invariably backfire in explosive or gravity-defying ways, underscoring themes of overambitious invention and ironic incompetence. Beyond its original animated context, the Acme Corporation has permeated , appearing in films like (1988) as a pivotal plot element involving a murdered executive, and inspiring real-world merchandise such as novelty anvils and posters cataloging its fictional inventions. The animated feature (2026), originally slated for release in 2023 but shelved by before being sold to a new distributor in 2025, features Wile E. Coyote suing the company for defective products in a satirical courtroom drama, further cementing its legacy as a symbol of whimsical corporate absurdity.

Arts, entertainment, and media

Music

In music, the term "Acme" draws from its meaning the or , often symbolizing artistic culmination or excellence in performance and . This connotation has inspired various artists, bands, and works adopting the name to evoke reaching a zenith in their . The Acme, released by the American garage rock trio on October 20, 1998, via , exemplifies this theme through its raw, high-energy fusion of , , and . Featuring tracks like "Calvin" and "Talk About the Blues," the record spans 13 songs and runs 45 minutes, earning praise for its bold experimentation and visceral sound that marked a pivotal in the band's career. Critics highlighted its uncompromising style as a standout, with one review noting it as a taunt to expectations amid growing acclaim. The Japanese visual kei band ACME, formed in Tokyo in 2017 by vocalist CHISA and guitarist SHOGO (both formerly of DIV), along with bassist RIKITO and drummer HAL, channels intense metalcore riffs with theatrical aesthetics inspired by 1990s indie scenes. Their debut album Zessho Oka (2018) and follow-up releases like Resisted Temptation (2022) showcase aggressive vocals, heavy breakdowns, and pop-infused hooks, supporting tours across Asia and events like A-Kon in the United States. The group's conceptual focus on "delinquent boys from another world" underscores peak rebellion in their indie rock-metal hybrid. The American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), established in 2003 by Juilliard-trained musicians in , represents a pinnacle in experimental . Specializing in works by influential composers such as , , and , the ensemble has collaborated on high-impact recordings, emphasizing innovative chamber performances that blend folk influences with techniques in the early scene. Their contributions highlight Acme's role in signifying cutting-edge artistic peaks within modern composition.

Literature and comics

In the 1st-century BCE poem Carmen 45, Roman lyric poet Gaius Valerius portrays the fictional lovers Acme and Septimius in an exuberant dialogue of mutual devotion, swearing by and that their passion represents the ultimate pinnacle of romantic bliss, with Acme's kisses likened to a thousand and Septimius vowing eternal fidelity even unto death. The name Acme, derived from the ἀκμή (akmḗ), literally signifying "," "," or "prime," underscores the theme of their as the of fulfillment, a echoed in classical literature where "acme" denotes the summit of achievement or intensity, as seen in Hellenistic texts describing the apex of rhetorical or poetic excellence. , born around 84 BCE near and active in the literary circles of late Republican , uses this etymological play to elevate the couple's hyperbolic oaths into a model of idealized, if fleeting, harmony. The term "acme" appears in various classical works as a for or culmination, such as in Aristotle's (4th century BCE), where it describes the highest point of persuasive power, and in later Roman authors like , who employs it in (1st century ) to signify the peak of oratorical skill, reflecting its enduring symbolic role in Greco-Roman literary analysis as the epitome of perfection. Gaius Valerius Catullus's innovative use in Carmen 45 personalizes this concept through character nomenclature, influencing subsequent interpretations of love poetry as aspirational heights amid human vulnerability. In modern comics, is an acclaimed ongoing series by Chicago-based cartoonist , debuting with issue #1 in winter 1993 under Books, known for its meticulous, grid-like illustrations that dissect themes of alienation, time, and suburban ennui through recurring characters like Jimmy Corrigan and Rusty Brown. Ware, born in 1967 and a graduate of the , crafts each issue as a self-contained "novelty" artifact mimicking outdated periodicals, with elaborate fold-outs and typographic experiments that highlight isolation in contemporary life, earning the series multiple Harvey Awards for Best Alternative Comic. Acme Press, a short-lived British publisher founded in 1986 and defunct by 1995 after reorganizing as Acme Comics, focused on importing and reprinting European and American titles for the UK market, including select stories from the sci-fi anthology 2000 AD in the late 1980s, such as episodes of Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper compiled in affordable black-and-white editions to broaden access beyond the original weekly format. Notable releases under Acme Press included 2000 AD Presents (1986–1989 series), which anthologized high-impact narratives from the IPC Magazines publication, alongside other licenses like Alan Moore's Maxwell the Magic Cat collections, contributing to the transatlantic exchange of comic material during the British Invasion era.

Film, television, and animation

In the Carmen Sandiego media franchise, the ACME Detective Agency functions as an international organization of agents dedicated to thwarting global crime, particularly the thefts orchestrated by the elusive Carmen Sandiego and her V.I.L.E. syndicate. Featured in the PBS educational game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995), ACME recruits young contestants as "gumshoes" to solve geography-based mysteries and apprehend henchmen, emphasizing real-world learning through interactive detective work. The agency reappears in the 2019 Netflix animated series Carmen Sandiego, portrayed as a shadowy espionage outfit led by the AI entity "The Chief," which initially pursues Carmen before allying with her against V.I.L.E., blending adventure with educational elements on history and culture. The Acme Comedy Theatre, established in 1989 in , is a 99-seat venue specializing in improvisational and , offering nightly performances and training programs that have nurtured emerging talent in the entertainment industry. Housed in a custom-designed space on North since 1995, the theater hosts original revues and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment akin to the era's boom. Notable performers and alumni include , , and , many of whom credit Acme's unscripted format for honing their skills before mainstream success in television and film.

Video games

Acme Software, founded in late 1987 in , —the preferred name was unavailable, leading to DMA Design—by and fellow students from the University of Dundee's computing club, served as the precursor to the renowned now known as . The company initially focused on game development for early home computers, producing titles like the Menace (1988), which was published by after the name change to DMA Design in 1987—necessitated because "Acme" was already registered by another entity. Under the DMA Design banner, the studio achieved major success with puzzle games like Lemmings (1991) and later spearheaded the open-world genre with the Grand Theft Auto series starting in 1997, before rebranding to in 2002 following acquisition by . This early "Acme" phase laid the groundwork for innovative and multiplayer features that defined the studio's later contributions to gaming. In the realm of interactive entertainment, ACME Animation Factory (1994) stands out as a Looney Tunes-themed educational title for the , developed by Software Ltd. and published by Sunsoft. Players use drawing tools, animation sequences, and sound effects to create custom cartoons featuring characters like and , emphasizing creativity over traditional gameplay mechanics; it was praised for its intuitive interface but critiqued for limited export options. The game exemplified mid-1990s efforts to blend multimedia authoring with licensed IP, influencing later creative suites in gaming. A more prominent example of Acme's integration into gameplay is Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal (2007), an action-adventure game developed by Redtribe and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for platforms including PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii, and PC. Players control seven Looney Tunes characters in levels filled with platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving, utilizing Acme-branded gadgets like rocket launchers and anvils as power-ups to thwart the villainous Dr. Frank Furter and his eraser-wielding scheme. The title incorporated motion controls on Wii for gadget aiming, achieving commercial success. Digital adaptations of the traditional Acme solitaire —a packer variant originating in , where cards are built down by in the tableau and up by in from a single deck—emerged in the alongside the boom in PC solitaire software. Though not a standalone hit, it appeared in collections like early Windows-compatible packs, requiring strategic reserve management for low win rates around 10-15%, and continues in modern implementations that preserve its challenging redeal mechanics. Fictional Acme gadgets frequently appear as Easter eggs in Looney Tunes-licensed , such as malfunctioning contraptions in ACME Animation Factory's backgrounds, nodding to the corporation's chaotic role in the cartoons.

People

Real individuals

The name "Acme" is infrequently used as either a or for notable individuals, with its primary associations stemming from commercial branding rather than personal identities. Distribution data indicates that "Acme" appears as a surname among approximately 541 individuals in , with the highest incidence globally, but no prominent historical or contemporary figures bearing this surname are documented in major biographical records. As a given name, "Acme" derives from the Greek term meaning "highest point" or "peak," yet it remains obscure in public life, with user-submitted interpretations suggesting symbolic connotations of excellence, but lacking association with any widely recognized persons.

Fictional characters

In ancient poetry, Acme appears as a fictional female character in Catullus's Carmen 45, a 26-line erotic dialogue dated to the mid-1st century BCE, where she serves as the devoted lover of Septimius. The poem depicts their mutual vows of eternal passion, with Acme kissing Septimius and affirming her singular devotion amid hyperbolic expressions of love approved by the god , positioning her as an embodiment of romantic fulfillment at its —her Greek-derived name literally meaning "" or "." As a purely fanciful figure unique to this work, Acme symbolizes the ideal of boundless affection, preferred by Septimius over distant realms like or , and she reciprocates with equal intensity, delighting in him alone. In the Looney Tunes franchise, employees of the fictional Acme Corporation represent archetypal inventors and product testers, often depicted in gag scenarios involving malfunctioning gadgets that underscore themes of futile ingenuity and corporate absurdity. These unnamed workers, such as dynamite testers, first appeared implicitly through Acme-branded explosives in the 1949 debut short Fast and Furry-ous, where Wile E. Coyote's use of dynamite highlights the company's role in supplying comically unreliable tools for his pursuits. Throughout the Road Runner series, Acme personnel embody the narrative trope of overzealous sales representatives and lab-coated innovators, whose creations—ranging from rockets to anvils—propel the cartoons' slapstick humor, with the corporation itself functioning as a satirical stand-in for unchecked capitalism. Later media, like the 2003 film Looney Tunes: Back in Action, explicitly portrays characters like Wile E. Coyote as Acme employees, reinforcing their roles as dedicated yet doomed experimenters. Within the Carmen Sandiego media franchise, ACME agents are elite, player-customizable detectives who serve as protagonists in the interactive games and , debuting in the 1985 educational title Where in the World Is ?. These characters, often unnamed or personalized by the user, operate under the ACME Detective Agency to thwart the thief and her V.I.L.E. organization, embodying peak sleuthing through global crime-solving and quick-witted deduction. In the reboot (2019–2021), agents like the customizable player collaborate with figures such as Chase Devineaux and Julia Argent, using advanced tech and teamwork to represent the agency's pinnacle of investigative prowess across 30+ episodes. Their narrative role emphasizes educational and moral pursuit, with the player's agency allowing tailored identities that heighten immersion in the franchise's chase motif.

Organizations and businesses

Bangladesh

The Acme Group is a diversified in , founded in 1954 as a proprietorship firm by Hamidur Rahman Sinha and later evolving into a major business entity with operations across multiple sectors. Primarily focused on pharmaceuticals through its flagship subsidiary Acme Laboratories Ltd., the group also engages in agro-veterinary products, consumer goods, pesticides, and garment accessories, contributing significantly to Bangladesh's landscape. The name "Acme," derived from word meaning the highest point of , reflects the group's emphasis on excellence and innovation in emerging markets. Acme Laboratories Ltd., the core pharmaceutical arm of the group, manufactures over 800 generic and branded products, including therapeutics in areas such as cardiovascular, antidiabetic, and anti-infective drugs, meeting approximately 98% of Bangladesh's domestic demand while exporting to more than 125 countries across , , , and . In fiscal year 2024, the company reported revenue of 31.93 billion , marking an 18.49% growth from the previous year, driven by expanded international approvals and domestic market penetration. Its facilities hold (WHO) good manufacturing practice () certifications, enabling compliance with global standards and facilitating exports to regulated markets like the and . A key subsidiary, Acme Specialized Pharmaceutical Limited, established in 2008, focuses on producing specialized generic formulations such as injectables, lyophilized products, and nasal sprays to address growing national and demand. This unit has bolstered the group's regional impact by enhancing production capacity and , with ongoing expansions including scheduled construction in Bangladesh's Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient () Park by fiscal year 2025 to further integrate upstream . Through these operations, the Acme Group exemplifies business excellence in , supporting economic growth via job creation for over 9,000 employees and contributions to the pharmaceutical sector's approximately 0.8% share of national GDP as of 2025.

United Kingdom

Acme Studios, a London-based , was founded in 1972 by artists Jonathan Harvey and David Panton to provide affordable workspaces for visual artists facing economic challenges in the city. The organization has grown into England's largest provider of such studios, supporting over 800 individual artists across 18 sites in , with recent expansions including a £2.5 million grant to acquire and redevelop a in Bow, , accommodating an additional 70 artists. Acme's model emphasizes long-term tenancies and professional development, fostering contributions to the UK's scene through residencies, awards, and community programs. Acme Whistles, originally established as J. Hudson & Co. in in 1870 by instrument maker Joseph Hudson, is a pioneering manufacturer of metal s renowned for innovations in sound production. The company invented the pea in the 1880s, with the Acme Thunderer model becoming the world's first effective and sports , amplifying sound over long distances for and events. Still operating from , Acme Whistles supplies professional-grade products for matches, maritime safety, and emergency services, maintaining a legacy of craftsmanship with annual production exceeding millions of units. Acme Press was a British comics publisher active from 1986 to 1995, specializing in reprints and collections of and adventure titles for the market. Based in , it gained recognition for licensing and distributing American comics alongside domestic reprints, notably producing affordable editions of stories originally from 2000 AD, which introduced the character's dystopian world to broader audiences through mini-series and graphic novels. The publisher collaborated with firms like for transatlantic distribution but ceased operations in 1995 amid the consolidation of the UK indie scene. Acme, an architecture practice founded in London in 2007, focuses on sustainable and , transforming existing structures to meet contemporary needs while preserving heritage. The firm, led by directors including Fabio Casiroli and Andrea Di Giuseppe, has contributed to high-profile projects such as the redevelopment of , where it designed a new roof over the 19th-century to enhance capacity without demolishing historic elements. Other works include the Earls Court masterplan, repurposing a former exhibition site into mixed-use workspaces, underscoring Acme's emphasis on environmentally responsive interventions in London's evolving built environment.

United States

ACME Markets is a supermarket chain founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now operating 164 stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and New York as of 2025. The company, part of the Albertsons Companies, emphasizes quality groceries, fresh produce, and community engagement through its foundation supporting hunger relief and education initiatives. Acme United Corporation, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, is a global supplier of innovative safety solutions including cutting tools, measuring instruments, first aid kits, and sharpening products. Established in 1867, the company serves consumer, school, industrial, medical, and hardware markets with over 550 employees and operations in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Australia

Acme Jordan Pty Ltd is a prominent Australian manufacturer of melamine-based furniture and products, headquartered in Wulkuraka, Queensland. The company, operating under the trading name Acme Jordan Furniture since March 2000, initially focused on timber household furniture before transitioning to melamine production in 2013 to meet growing demand for durable, customizable options in residential and commercial settings. Its product line includes kitchen carcasses, wardrobes, pantries, chests, and walk-in robes, emphasizing operational efficiency in manufacturing and supply to retailers across Australia. ACME Industrial Refrigeration Engineers Pty Ltd, established in 1974 and based in , , specializes in solutions for systems, with a strong emphasis on the sector. The firm provides comprehensive services including , equipment supply from leading brands like GEA and Mycom, by certified technicians, and 24/7 maintenance to ensure reliable and cooling in harsh industrial environments. Notable contributions include tailored installations for operations, enhancing operational and through precise and energy-efficient systems. The ACME Group, founded in 1939 and located in Perth, Western Australia, is a key provider of industrial products such as ventilation ducts, filtration systems, and related equipment tailored for mining, oil and gas, and construction industries. With over eight decades of experience, the company has supported major Australian mining projects by delivering robust solutions that improve air quality, dust control, and worker safety in underground and surface operations. As of 2025, ACME continues to innovate in filtration technologies to meet evolving environmental regulations in resource extraction.

Places

Canada

Acme is a village in south-central , , located approximately 75 kilometers northeast of at coordinates 51° 29′ 50″ N, 113° 30′ 31″ W. The community, situated in Kneehill County, serves as a rural hub primarily supported by and is notable as the first village incorporated in the county. The settlement of Acme originated in the early 1900s, tied closely to the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). A was established on August 1, 1905, predating formal incorporation, and the name "Acme"—derived from the Greek word meaning "the highest point"—was selected by CPR surveyors because it marked the northernmost end of the railway line at the time. On July 7, 1910, Acme was officially incorporated as a village, coinciding with the arrival of the first passenger and , which spurred rapid growth from an initial population of around 190 residents focused on farming and rail-related activities. By the mid-20th century, the village had developed into a stable agricultural center, with grain elevators and farming operations becoming central to its identity. Demographically, Acme remains a small, close-knit . According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by , the village had 606 residents living in 272 of its 294 private dwellings, reflecting a -7.2% decline from 653 in 2016, with an estimated population of 652 as of 2024. This population size is comparable to small rural townships , such as Acme in , emphasizing its scale as a modest . Recent growth may be influenced by spillover from Calgary's population boom. The local economy continues to center on , with , canola, and production dominating the surrounding farmland. As of 2025, provincial trends indicate positive developments for farming in the region, including a 6% rise in Alberta farmland values during the first half of the year and increased planting acreage province-wide, which supports Acme's agricultural base amid broader economic investments in the sector.

United States

Acme, Michigan, is an unincorporated community in Grand Traverse County, located along the west shore of . The area features remnants of historic limestone quarries dating back to the late 1800s, which contributed to early industrial development and are now part of broader regional recreational and natural sites. The community's economy historically relied on quarrying and lumbering, transitioning to and in the 20th century. Acme Township, also in Grand Traverse County, encompasses the unincorporated community and surrounding areas along . Organized in 1891 by John Pulcipher, who served as its first supervisor for nearly three decades, the township spans about 35 square miles and supports a local economy centered on cherry orchards, reflecting the broader Grand Traverse region's status as a major producer of tart cherries, accounting for over half of 's crop. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the township had a population of 4,456, with a projected population of 4,509 as of 2025. Acme, , is an unincorporated community primarily in Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, situated in the coal region. With a population of approximately 1,400 as of recent estimates, the community developed around bituminous coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, supporting operations that fueled industrial growth in the county, which produced significant output through the mid-1900s. Today, its economy blends remnants of mining heritage with residential and small-scale commerce. Acme, Washington, is a rural census-designated place in Whatcom County, nestled in the South Fork Nooksack River Valley near the . The 2020 U.S. Census recorded a population of 229 for the CDP, reflecting its small, dispersed character. Known for the historic Acme General Store, established around 1900 and operating continuously since at least 1911 as a community hub with a and gas station, the area emphasizes , including , in the , and access to nearby state forests and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Science, technology, and mathematics

Scientific concepts

The ACME experiment, or Advanced Cold Molecule Electron Electric Dipole Moment Search, is a precision physics effort to detect the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron (eEDM), a property that would signal charge-parity (CP) and time-reversal (T) symmetry violations indicative of new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Conducted by a collaboration including researchers from Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago, the experiment utilizes a cryogenic molecular beam apparatus to achieve unprecedented sensitivity. By embedding electrons within heavy polar molecules, ACME amplifies the eEDM effect through the molecules' strong internal electric fields, allowing measurements that probe theoretical models of CP violation at energy scales up to 10^16 GeV. The core methodology involves producing a pulsed beam of thorium monoxide (ThO) molecules via laser ablation and buffer-gas cooling to near 1 K temperatures, followed by state preparation in the metastable ^3Δ_1 rotational level using lasers. The molecules then pass through regions with applied electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields oriented parallel or antiparallel, where an eEDM would cause a differential precession frequency in the electron spin relative to the nuclear spin. This precession is detected via state-selective laser-induced fluorescence after a free-evolution period of about 1 millisecond. Systematic effects, such as magnetic field gradients and molecular collisions, are rigorously controlled through blind analysis and electrode voltage reversals to ensure the measurement isolates the eEDM signal. The setup incorporates advanced cryogenic and vacuum technologies to minimize noise and maximize signal coherence. Key findings from ACME include the 2018 result from the second phase (ACME II), which established the world's tightest constraint on the eEDM at the time: |d_e| < 1.1 × 10^{-29} e·cm (90% confidence level), surpassing prior limits by over an order of magnitude and ruling out many supersymmetric extensions of the . This precision measurement, achieved with over 10^13 molecules detected, highlighted the experiment's ability to test fundamental symmetries with attosecond-level timing resolution in spin dynamics. Subsequent upgrades for ACME III, including enhanced laser systems and detector arrays, aim to push sensitivity further; data collection began preparations in 2023, with initial runs expected to yield results by late 2025 targeting a limit below 10^{-30} e·cm. These advancements continue to constrain theories explaining the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. In and , the term "acme" denotes the or period of maximum development, vigor, or abundance in the evolutionary history of an or taxonomic group. Originating from the Greek word for "point" or "peak," it describes the culminating phase where a reaches its highest morphological complexity, ecological dominance, or before potential decline. In , the acme represents the apex of or specialization, as seen in records where groups like certain orders or mammalian faunas exhibit peak diversity and biomass during specific geological epochs. Within paleontological , an "" specifically refers to the stratigraphic characterized by the highest relative abundance of a particular , serving as a marker for precise of sedimentary layers across regions. Unlike range zones based on first and last appearances, acme zones rely on quantitative peaks in fossil density, often linked to optimal environmental conditions such as climate optima or habitat expansions. For instance, the acme of the micromammal genus Paschatherium during the Paleocene-Eocene boundary in reflects a burst of diversification tied to warming climates, with abundance exceeding 50% of assemblages in certain localities. This concept aids in reconstructing paleoecological dynamics, emphasizing how acmes often precede declines (paracmes) due to environmental shifts or competitive pressures. Overall, the notion of acme underscores the transient nature of evolutionary peaks, providing insights into the tempo and mode of biodiversity changes over geological time.

Technology and software

Acme is a and originally developed for the Plan 9 operating system by at in the early 1990s. It serves as a hybrid of a window system, , and editor, providing a unified interface for text manipulation, program execution, and file management tailored to programmers' needs. Designed to emphasize simplicity and efficiency in text-oriented workflows, Acme replaced the earlier editor by incorporating graphical elements while retaining structural editing capabilities. Key features of Acme include its mouse-driven interaction model, where users employ chorded gestures—such as simultaneous left and middle clicks to execute commands or middle-click to insert text—for rapid navigation and operations without relying on shortcuts or menus. The editor treats all windows as editable text buffers, enabling seamless integration of code editing, shell commands, and output display; for instance, selecting text and middle-clicking executes it as a command, with results appearing in a new window. Acme supports structural regular expressions inherited from , allowing complex search-and-replace operations across multiple files, and it reads files approximately seven times faster than due to optimized implementation. These elements make it particularly suited for programming tasks, such as compiling code or , within the Plan 9 environment. In modern contexts, Acme remains in use through ports to systems, including Plan 9 from User Space (p9p), which emulates much of Plan 9's user-space tools on and other platforms. A Go-based reimplementation by the 9fans community further extends its availability, supporting contemporary development on non-Plan 9 systems for tasks like code editing and scripting. Programmers continue to adopt Acme for its minimalist design and productivity in text-heavy workflows, influencing lightweight editor philosophies in Unix derivatives.

Mathematics

In mathematics, the term "acme" is rarely employed as a technical notation but draws from its etymological roots in akmē, denoting the highest point, , or of something. This connotation aligns conceptually with the maximum point of a in optimization and , where it represents the or value attained by the , analogous to the of a or surface. For instance, in basic peak value problems, such as finding the highest yield in a quadratic model for projectile motion or profit maximization in economic functions, the acme informally evokes the optimal or supreme point without the need for formal derivation. Historical calculus texts occasionally reference this metaphorical usage to illustrate extrema, emphasizing the conceptual peak rather than rigorous computation.

Transportation

Ships

Several historical vessels have borne the name Acme, including naval and merchant ships involved in key maritime operations. The operated USS Acme (AMc-61), an built for anti-submarine and duties during . With a displacement of 221 tons, dimensions of 97 feet 6 inches in length, 22 feet 6 inches in beam, and a draft of 9 feet, she was launched on 31 May 1941 by the Greenport Basin & Construction Co., Greenport, N.Y. Named on 17 May 1941 and renamed Acme on 23 May 1941 prior to commissioning. Commissioned on 11 September 1941 under the command of Marcus L. Whitford, USNR, she joined the Atlantic Fleet and conducted and operations along the and coasts. Based initially at , through mid-November 1941, she arrived at , on 23 November 1941, for , , and training duties; underwent restricted availability at from 2–23 February 1942; resumed operations and local training until June 1945. She then moved to , arriving 28 June 1945, for additional duty until December 1945. Decommissioned on 13 December 1945, she was struck from the on 3 January 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission on 3 March 1947 for disposal. The also operated Acme (MSO-508), of the Acme-class minesweepers, laid down 24 August 1954 by J. N. Inc., in , ; launched 18 December 1955; and commissioned 24 January 1956. She conducted mine countermeasures training and operations, including in the from 1968, and was decommissioned on 1 August 1991 before being transferred to . In the merchant fleet, the wooden topsail Acme represented 19th-century coastal trade in , primarily carrying timber along the coast. Built in 1876 by Tom Davis at Brisbane Waters, she measured approximately 67.5 feet (20.57 m) in length, 19.3 feet (5.88 m) in beam, and 7.0 feet (2.13 m) in depth, with a of 55 tons. Owned initially by Dave Copper of , she operated in the timber trade, including voyages from Camden Haven to . On 15 July 1876, during a voyage loaded with timber, she encountered a severe off Seal Rocks, New South Wales, forcing the crew to seek shelter in Seal Rocks Bay; the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked that day, with the crew rescued by the local lighthouse boat and no lives lost. The ship was insured for £1,000. Her loss highlighted the perils of coastal navigation in the region during that era.

Vehicles

The Acme automobile was an brass-era manufactured by the Acme Motor Car Company in , from 1903 to 1911. Founded by James C. Reber, the company initially aimed to produce high-quality touring , distinguishing itself from the bicycle manufacturing that dominated early automotive ventures in the region. Early models featured a two-cylinder , while later iterations included a 30 horsepower four-cylinder option and even six-cylinder variants priced around $4,000, emphasizing durability through a vanadium , Eisemann magnetos, and batteries. Production remained modest, with the company targeting 500 units annually but achieving only about 125 to 150 vehicles in peak years like , for a total output likely under 1,000 cars before financial challenges led to in 1906 and eventual closure in 1911. These automobiles gained historical significance through participation in prominent races, such as the and Savannah road races, showcasing their performance capabilities—high-end roadsters could reach up to 76 mph—and contributing to the evolution of reliable, mass-producible passenger vehicles during the brass era. The Acme's legacy endures in regional automotive history, with surviving examples and advertisements preserved in institutions like the Boyertown Museum of Historical Vehicles. The Acme motorcycle refers to a series of British machines produced by the Acme Motor Company in , , from to 1922, before merging with to form Rex-Acme. Early models, such as the 1902 2.75 horsepower version with a engine and the 1904 self-designed 3 horsepower Acme engine, catered to basic transport needs, often paired with trailers for versatility. Post-World War I shifted to more advanced powerplants, incorporating engines after , including sidevalve 348 cc singles and robust 997 cc V-twins that powered larger models like the 1920 976 cc V-twin, with options for chain-and-belt drive systems. These motorcycles held significance in the burgeoning industry, competing in events like the 1908 Tourist Trophy—though both entries retired—and reflecting the era's engineering focus on lightweight, reliable designs suitable for attachments in commuter and touring applications. The company's output during its two-decade run contributed to the diversification of suppliers like , which became staples in motorcycles, influencing post-merger innovations under Rex-Acme until broader production ceased in . Surviving Acme bikes highlight the transitional role of firms in advancing two-wheeled mobility from experimental prototypes to practical road machines.

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