Music Trade Review

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THE
APRIL 7, 1923
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
11
OwTECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM BRAID WHITE
other way would it be possible to initiate and
maintain improvements because in no other way
can the existing or proposed methods be re-
ferred to a standard of universal validity.
Two Great Problems Confronting Manufacturers To-day Are Those of Improvement and of
Only, however, within the last few years has
Production—Their Interrelation in the Finished Product—Production To-day Stressed
a dawning recognition of this truth been estab-
lished in the piano industry. It would not be
at the Expense of Scientific Standards—Harmonizing the Two Departments
unfair probably to date the beginning of the
Few people realize how completely the piano come to see that it has been lagging behind the new era from the technicians' conferences which
industry is the child of tradition and prejudice. times and, consequently, it is only of recent were conducted in Chicago and New York by
If one were to make the bald statement that not years that any serious attempt has been made Frank E. Morton, under the auspices of the
a single improvement of the slightest impor- to consider piano making in the light of modern American Steel & Wire Co. These conferences
tance has been made in piano construction since methods.
Furthermore, since no scientific may rightly be said to have first awakened gen-
the day of Theodore Steinway—that is to say, standards have ever been accepted by the in- eral interest throughout the industry in ques-
since 1876—one would not be believed. The dustry, it follows that where scientific method tions pertaining to standardization and produc-
statement would be an exaggeration, indeed; has been considered at all the attempt has al- tion, and to have opened the collective mind of
yet the fact does- remain that the important im- ways been inade in the direction of production. piano technicians to the possibility of founding
provements have been so few as to be num- That is to say, a given piano, as existing at a a science of practical tone production.
bered at least upon the fingers of one hand. I given time and in a given shape, has been ac-
I may say this the more willingly because
shall not draw down upon myself the wrath of
cepted as the norm; and the attempt has then my own research work, although it helped to
any reader, technical or non-technical, by enu- been made to see whether the methods hitherto construct the theory of piano tone production
merating these critical inventions; yet they and accepted for producing this instrument may be and to show how that theory might be' applied
the names of their inventors must be familiar systematized and freed from the influences of
tc piano making in a practical way, neverthe-
to every intelligent reader of these columns. waste. In this manner there have grown up in less remained much a matter of the closet and
Now, why is this, and what does the fact sig- some piano factories most interesting and in- had little or no general influence before these
nify for the future of the American piano?
structive practices. In general, these are based conferences were initiated.
We are dealing here with one of those ques- upon ideas common to modern factory methods
Since the days of the conferences, then, the
tions about every side of which so much can be and relate to the routing of materials, the split- problem of applying scientific research to the
said. One of the very first things to be said is ting up of processes into sub-processes, the question of tone production, with a view to dis-
that the idea of a scientific basis for design, con- substitution of fixed standards for individual covering better methods of piano construction,
struction and production always grows most measurements, and of automatic for manual has been recognized as existing. Its progress
slowly and painfully in those arts and crafts work wherever possible. It is not to be sup- must, henceforth, be continuous, although, no
which deal with questions of taste. Where the posed that this movement necessarily tends to doubt, it will be slow, disappointingly slow to
functions or accomplishments of a machine or injure the existing quality of piano making in those who are always hoping for better things.
instrument of any kind are incapable of refer- general. On the contrary; but it certainly will The fact, however, that it has even been recog-
ence to a standard of universal validity, scien- do nothing whatever to effect improvements, be- nized should be a matter for general and heart-
tific method cannot be, and indeed never is, ac- cause it rests upon the idea that the instruinent felt congratulation.
cepted with the alacrity which is commonly as at present existing represents a norm from
This leads us, naturally, to consideration of
displayed by those who in other circumstances which there is no reason to depart. To this a further question, namely, how if at all can the
are able more clearly to perceive its advantages. extent, therefore, it is built upon insecure foun- two problems be harmonized? Can we, at one
dations.
The Two Great Problems
and the same time, organize mass production
and maintain research? If the two things can
Meaning of Piano Engineering
As things stand to-day two great problems
On the other hand, the second problem is re- be done successfully and simultaneously the fu-
are pressing for solution and the best brains
among manufacturing technicians are trying to ceiving very little attention at the present time, ture of the piano industry will necessarily be
grapple with them. One of them is receiving although in the end it will, or may at least, come a future of unceasing physical, material, scien-
to exert a controlling influence. Its general tific and industrial progress. If not, a progres-
an amount of attention which is quite out of
proportion to the other's share. The first re- nature was set forth in detail in the paper which sive decline seems inevitable.
A Parallel Example
lates to methods of improvement, the second to I read at the last annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Society of Mechanical Engineers, and which
It has become the custom of late years to
methods of production.
The piano business has only of recent years is being published in the current number of Me- look towards the automobile industry for in-
chanical Engineering, the monthly magazine of spiration as to new methods and fresh ideas.
the Society. The foundation principle in this There has been ample reason for this. Owing
HARLEM PIANO & ORGAN KEY CO.
paper may be described as the application of to the astonishing rapidity of its material prog-
IVOltY AND PORCELAIN CEMENT
mathematical, physical and engineering practice ress that industry has been enabled to command
FOR PIANO KEYS
to the design and construction of the tonal ele- the highest research talent and at the same time
This is a fine white ivory cold glue.
We have spent 15 years perfecting it.
ments in the piano. Since the production of to initiate studies and put into practice methods
Parcel post paid anywhere in U. S. for $1.
tone in the piano rests upon processes which for mass production in the highest sense of that
121-123 East 126th Street
New York. N. Y.
are very easily .understood by reference to term. In this industry two departments exist
known facts of acoustics and since, also, these side by side as essential elements to the organ-
facts are capable of directly being translated ization of a producing plant. One of these is
into practical forms of construction, it should the engineering department, the other is the dc-
be the part of wisdom to discover how each
(Continucd on page 12)
Quicker and better methods of refinishing all kinds
factor in the design and construction of the
of musical instruments, explained in free book. Tells
piano squares up with these known facts. In no
how damaged and worn surfaces, in any finish, can
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"in it's 2d^ea*»
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Valuable Book ITU IT I?
with upwards rf
T U N t R S
Here are
Tells Everything W I\I-JJEJ
\
1OOO
Complete, easy to understand. Every
RESEARCH IN PROBLEMS OF TONE AND
ITS RELATION TO PRODUCTION METHODS
Short Cuts to
Refinishing Profits
POLKS [
dealer, repair man and refinisher should
have it. Sent postpaid—no cost or obli-
gation. Write for your copy to-day—a
card will do.
M. L. CAMPBELL CO.
2328 Pehn St.
Kansas City. Mo.
FAUST SCHOOL
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Standard of America
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21 JO Fail-mount Avenue
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