1825

Pierre Erard patented in England a method of fixing metal bars to the brazing by using bolts, which passed through holes cut in the soundboard. The iron frame of a modern grand is attached in a similar way and although Broadwood's used bars from 1808 there was always controversy over who used them first, as Broadwood did not take out a patent for metal bars in combination with a metal string plate until 1826.

1825

Babcock (1785-1842) patented the full iron frame, which was not at first completely successful but still an important development.

1826

Robert Warnum patented the tape-check action, which is similar to the present-day over-damper action. He also took out patents for diagonal stringing. From 1810 to 1812 he was in partnership with George Wilkinson at 315 Oxford Street and 11 Princes Street. Wilkinson went to work for Broderip after this.

1827

James Stewart, Chickering's first partner, fitted return strings, not only for the steel bichords but also in the treble section.

1827

Thomas Loud in America made the first down-striking grand. His workshop was at 22 Devonshire Street, Queens Square, London, from 1802 until 1825 when he moved to the USA.

1828

Messrs John Broadwood & Sons pricelist for 1st May 1828:

Square F to F, plain case 36 guineas

the same type, banded with rosewood, 41 guineas

Square in plain case with circular ends 38 guineas

new patent six octave F to F with metallic plate ?55.

A charge of 4 guineas to be made for fixing drawers to either of the above

Cottage six-octave f to F square front 50 guineas

Cottage superior with six octaves and square front 55 guineas

The same with with cylinder front 55 guineas

Cabinet with six octaves 65 guineas

Cabinet elegant 70 guineas

Cabinet with six and a half octaves in rosewood case 75 guineas

1828

W. H. Barnes was founded and also sold pianos under the name of Normelle, Osbert, and D'Almaine. It's not to clear if they made their own at first or just branded other makes. Later on in the 1900s they did use the Kemble and Monington names.

1828

Rushworth's was founded by William Rushworth, a pipe organ builder in Yorkshire. In the late 1800s the company moved to Liverpool. Apparently a piano was sold from the offices, almost by accident, and it was then they decided to sell pianos to the general public. This was the start of the piano retail site. At first pianos were made by Clarence Lyon of London, and not long after Rushworth's began producing classic British pianos alongside their world-famous organ building, which is now in its fifth generation under the leadership of Alastair Rushworth. It has become the largest organ builder in the UK. Around 1921 Rushworth also acquired pianos from Squire & Longsons for £29.00 and resold them for £49 guineas.

In 1969 the piano retail side formed into a separate company. This was after piano production was stopped at the St. Anne Street workshop to allow them to concentrate on organ building.

In 1998 the piano retail side went under major reconstruction under the guidance of David Rushworth, and they have introduced a wider range of overseas pianos. The Rushworth piano is now made for Rushworth's in the Far East and is backed up by Rushworth's in-house service facilities.

1828

Paint-covered hammers with rabbit's fur and sheep's wool felt were used. This could also have been when two layers of felt were used. Buckskin was still commonly used for the top treble.

1828

The Bösendorfer piano company was founded in Vienna. Ignaz Bösendorfer (1794-1859) was granted the right to trade as a piano maker by the body of magistrates.

1828

Pape may have been the first to make over-strung pianos. He was born in 1789 and died in 1875. Most of the great piano makers can be traced back to just a few early makers. One of Pape's pupils was Carl Bechstein.

1829

Rawler made the first under-damper upright piano. It was about one meter high.

1829

Squire & Longson, London, was established. In 1938 a fire at the factory shut them down, and Kemble acquired the name and produced pianos with the Squire & Longson name until the 1970s. The workforce was taken up by Whelpdale Maxwell & Codd Ltd. to make Welmar pianos.