494 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



action, and a " scale " of especial moment and value. The latter 

 also embraces a departure in plate construction as a part of the 

 whole scheme. Conover's scale contains "duplex bridges'' and 

 what are termed " auxiliary vibrators," and in effect is a most 

 meritorious contribution to American jjiano-making. Their '' hol- 

 low steel" tuning-pin system is also a significant improvement, 

 while their action is, as far as it is original, equally successful. 



Steck & Co., and Decker Brothers, of New York, have been 

 identified with the bringing out of several valuable improve- 

 ments, which they use as specialties, the most important of which 

 are in the form of scales which can not well be exemplified. The 

 same remark applies to the specialties of several other houses, 

 such as Haines Brothers, Hazleton Brothers, Decker & Son, Kra- 

 nich & Bach, and others. 



Meanwhile I can not jmss over the inventions of Paul G. 

 Mehlin, who has done much for the improvement of the mod- 

 ern piano. Though these are numerous and touch every region 

 in the upright piano, his " grand plate and scale " for uprights 

 deserves mention. Through it Mr. Mehlin claims to give the up- 

 right some of the principal characteristics of the grand, and the 

 trial to a large extent justifies the claim. The Century Company, 

 of Indianapolis, manufacture the " Mehlin pianos." Mr. Mehlin 

 has taken out a considerable number of patents for improvements 

 in the plate, wrest-plank, action, key-board, scaling, cases, and 

 every section of the instrument since 1872, and has applications 

 pending for more. 



Henry Kroeger, of Gildemeester & Kroeger, has also been 

 active as an improver, though his patented inventions cover no 

 radical departures ; but his contributions in the form of " scales " 



Fig. 20.— Steinway & Sons' Grand Eepetition Action, with Tubular Metallic Frame. 



Patented October 20, 1S75. 



have been very useful, and during his career he has always been 

 associated with the production of pianos of the highest class. 

 His eminent services deserve this acknowledgment at least. Many 

 other thinkers and inventors, such as Stephen Bramback, of the 

 Estey Piano Company ; Myron A. Decker, of Decker & Son ; and 

 Hugo Sohmer, of Sohmer & Co., are equally entitled to recogni- 

 tion, though limitations of space prevent more than their mention. 

 Kindred Industries.— Since 1850 the specializing of such 



