Steinway Quality

"Music is the universal language of mankind." Longfellow

Heinrich Steinweg was born in the small German Hartz Mountain hamlet of Wolfshagen. Beginning in 1806, young Heinrich experienced a series of tragedies that wiped out most of his family. The orphan joined the Prussian army and became a bugler. Despite having no formal training, Heinrich was an able musician, entertaining the troops on the zither and pianoforte. When he left the army, he became a church organist and began to build pianos in his kitchen at night. Even with such primitive facilities, people recognized the quality of his work. Although his business prospered, revolution forced his family to move to America.

Settling in New York City, the family name was Anglicized to Steinway. Heinrich and his three sons took jobs with different piano makers to learn the details of doing business in the United States. After three years working for others, they began their own company, Steinway & Sons. Beginning with a production of one piano a week, the Steinway piano soon became known for its quality and clarity of sound. Steinway was more concerned with building the best rather than quantity. Soon, Steinway pianos began to win awards. In 1872, Steinway Village, covering a city block in Long Island, included housing for employees, a school, a library, and a bathhouse. During tough times, companies offered Steinway royalties for the use of his name on items such as radios. Since the Steinways could not control the quality of these items, they refused to compromise their name.

CONSIDER THIS: A reputation built on quality must never be compromised.