Instead of setting the strings side by side, the company introduced substituting an arrangement of the string in two banks, one over the other. He also invented a new deflection of the strings, and in 1845 the first convenient method for over stringing in square pianos. Jonas Chickering made several major contributions to the development of piano technology, most notably by introducing a one-piece, cast-iron plate to support the greater string tension of larger grand pianos. It was renovated into artist studios in 1972. From 1860-1868 space in the building was the location of the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company, who made over 100,000 rifles and carbines for the U.S. A new factory was built in 1853-54 at 791 Tremont Street in Boston. The walls of the building collapsed, and set adjoining structures on fire. On December 1, 1852, a fire destroyed Chickering's piano factory located at 336 Washington Street in Boston. His profound interest was in the Chickering piano, to which he dashed for such careful examination that he nearly had to be hauled away so the concert could begin. Henry attended the opening night of the NYC concert series but showed little interest in the diva. Steinway (Steinweg) and his large family arrived in New York as immigrants from Germany. Her pianist was Otto Goldschmidt, whom she married at the end of her tour.Ĭoincidentally, as the tour began, Henry E. The piano was completed by August 1850 Lind arrived in September and the concert series began in Boston. After her agreement, Barnum commissioned the Chickering company to manufacture a custom grand piano for her nationwide tour, ultimately involving 93 performances. Barnum who persuaded Jenny Lind - the Swedish Nightingale - to make a concert tour of the United States.

Chickering piano history