Christian F. T. Steinway’s Invention for Capodastro Frames for Piano Fortes set the bar for piano design.
Steinway Pianos
In 1853, Steinway & Sons was formed. Operations began in a rental loft at 85 Varick Street in New York City. The Steinway business was a family affair, with father, Henry Engelhard Steinway, working as both a master cabinet maker and a master piano builder. Doretta, the eldest daughter, was the star salesperson, sometimes offering to give free piano lessons to prospective buyers in order to close a sale. Christian Friedrich Theodore Steinway was the eldest son of five boys and three girls.