COMPANY HISTORY 

 
1835 

Production of the table piano “op. 1” by Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797-1871) in Seesen, today at Städtisches Museum Braunschweig

1850

Emigration of the Steinweg family to the USA/New York
Theodor Steinweg (1825-1889) continues his father's business in Seesen under the name C. F. Th. Steinweg, initially in Seesen, later in Wolfenbüttel and Braunschweig 

March 5, 1853

Foundation of Steinway & Sons at 55 Varick Street, New York

The company is founded as an informal partnership by Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg and his sons Karl (1829-1865), Heinrich jr. (1831-1865) and Wilhelm (1835-1896).

Initially, only upright pianos are produced; these are offered for the last time in a Steinway & Sons advertising brochure in 1888.

1854

Relocation of the company to 82-88 Walker Street, New York Over the following years, the company also rented premises at 91 and 109 Mercer and 96 Crosby Street. Last but not least, even the Steinwegs' home at 199 Heester Street served as a production facility.

Participation in the Metropolitan Fair, Washington D.C.

Prize for a Steinway & Sons grand piano

1855

Participation in the American Institute Exhibition im Crystal Palace, New York

Gold medal for a Steinway & Sons table piano with cross-stringing and cast iron frame

1856

Production of the first Steinway & Sons grand piano

1859

Patents for cast iron frames with flange and agraffes and for cross-stringing in grand pianos (Henry Jr. Steinway)
US-Patent No. 26532A; US-Patent No. 26300A

1860

Opening of a new factory on 4th Avenue/52nd and 53rd Street, New York

The factory remains in operation until 1910.

1862

Production of the first Steinway & Sons upright

1866

Opening of Steinway Hall on East 14th Street, New York
Steinway Hall No. 1 remains in operation until 1925.

1870

Opening of a new factory near Bowery Bay, Long Island, New York (Queens)
the factory is still in operation today as a Steinway & Sons production facility.

On the initiative of William Steinway, the “Steinway Village”, an area consisting of residential buildings, a school, a church, a library, etc., is being built around the factory. Above all, the employees are to live here.

1872

Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894) goes on a concert tour of the USA for Steinway & Sons

Start of the “Steinway Artists”.

Patent for the Duplex Scale (Theodor Steinweg)
US-Patent No. 126848

1875

Opening of a Steinway Hall at 15 Lower Seymour Street, London (now Wigmore Street)

1876

Registration of Steinway & Sons as a public limited company (family members only)

William Steinway (1835-1896) becomes president of the company 

1880

Opening of “Steinway's Pianofabrik” in Schanzenstraße, Hamburg

The factory later moved to Rondenbarg street in Hamburg, where production still takes place today.

Patent for the rim bending process / screw clamp (Theodor Steinweg)
US-Patent No. 229198

1896

Charles H. Steinway (1857-1919) becomes president of the company

1902

Production of the grand piano with the serial number 100,000

As an “instrument of the nation” for US President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), installed in the White House. The grand piano is now in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Washington D.C.

1919

Frederick T. Steinway (1860-1927) becomes president of the company

1925

Opening of the new Steinway Hall at 109 West 57th Street, New York (near Carnegie Hall)            

Steinway Hall No. 2 will remain in operation until 2014.

1927

Theodore E. Steinway (1883-1957) becomes president of the company.

1936

Patent for the diaphragmatic soundboard (Paul Billhuber)
US-Patent No. 2051633

1937

Foundation of the Steinway Piano Competition in Hamburg

The competition still exists today.

1938

Production of the grand piano with the serial number 300,000 

The grand piano is installed in the White House for US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House and still stands there today.

1939–1945

Second World War – rationing of materials important for piano making such as copper, iron, brass and felt – production of cargo gliders and coffins 

Production of the “Victory Vertical” – a field piano for the US soldiers

1953

100th anniversary of the company
The anniversary is celebrated extensively at the Waldorf-Astoria and at Carnegie Hall, New York.

1955

Henry Z. Steinway (1915-2008) becomes president of the company

1972

Sale of Steinway & Sons to Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

1985

Sale of Steinway & Sons to the Boston entrepreneurial family Birmingham

2013

Sale of Steinway & Sons to hedge fund manager John Paulson (*1955)