| Steinway Pianos was founded in 1853 by a German | | | | The prominence of leadership from C.F. Theodore and |
| immigrant master cabinetmaker called Henry Engelhard | | | | William helped to ensure that Steinway Pianos |
| Steinway, in Manhattan, New York. Henry was a skilled | | | | remained the most sought after pianos following the |
| craftsman who had already built his first piano when | | | | death of Henry Steinway in 1871. C.F. Theodore was |
| living in Seesen, Germany. Prior to establishing | | | | involved with all technical engineering aspects of the |
| Steinway & Sons, Henry had already built 482 | | | | piano responsible for 41 patents including one for the |
| pianos. Therefore, it seemed the most natural name | | | | concert grand in 1875. His success in this field is |
| for the first piano created through Steinway & | | | | sometimes considered to being an accomplished and |
| Sons to be called 483. During the time, this piano cost | | | | highly proficient pianist. William concentrated on the |
| $500 and can currently be seen at New York City's | | | | name and business and helped establish showrooms |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art. | | | | globally and a Hamburg factory in 1880 known as the |
| For the next 40 years since the company's inception, | | | | Steinway-Haus. By 1891, Steinway had moved to its |
| Henry and his son's, Charles, William, C.F. Theodore, | | | | current location in Queens, New York, to an area |
| Albert and Henry Junior, continued to develop not only | | | | commonly known as Steinway Village. Previously, |
| the company but also the mechanisms found inside | | | | Steinway was based on 14th Street which became |
| the piano. It was during these 40 or so years, up until | | | | the home of the New York Philharmonic until they |
| the turn of the century in 1900, that many of the 114 | | | | moved to the Carnegie Hall. |
| patented inventions were designed, invented and | | | | Today, approximately 5,000 pianos are crafted by |
| developed. Many of which are still used today. | | | | Steinway & Sons globally. That equates to almost |
| Due to Henry's perfectionist craftsmanship, Steinway | | | | 14 per day for every day of the year. The company |
| Pianos almost immediately started receiving awards | | | | boasts over 1300 prominent recording artists and |
| for their designs and workmanship. Just 2 years after | | | | ensembles who carry the prestigious 'Steinway Artist', |
| forming the company, Steinway Pianos were awarded | | | | however, it is important to note that no artist or |
| numerous gold medals at European and American | | | | ensemble is paid to promote, endorse or play a |
| exhibitions. The ultimate award came 14 years later in | | | | Steinway Piano. It is solely a choice. Each Steinway |
| 1867, when the company was awarded the prestigious | | | | Artist owns a Steinway Piano and has chosen to |
| Grand Gold Medal of Honour for excellence and | | | | perform on a Steinway Piano including Alfred Brendel, |
| engineering at the Paris Exhibition. Never before had | | | | Billy Joel, Diana Kraal, Radu Lupu. When purchasing a |
| an American company received this award and as a | | | | Steinway Piano, pianos are selected from the unique |
| result, Steinway pianos became the pianist's choice not | | | | "Piano Bank" which contains over 300 types of pianos. |
| only for Royalty but also prominent pianists. | | | | The total inventory cost of the 300 types is $15 million. |