John Cutts Smith
patented November 14, 1838
inventor
patent holder
Biography
John Cutts Smith was granted a patent for a tuning-key on November 14, 1838, a device Spillane describes as probably the first contrivance to closely anticipate the modern lever hammer used for tuning. Before and even past this date, wrest-pins were generally manipulated with a T-hammer, and Smith's invention is presented as possibly the first American patent to demonstrate the disadvantages of that older method.
Highlights
- Granted a patent for a tuning-key on November 14, 1838, anticipating the modern lever hammer.
- Possibly the first American invention to show the disadvantages of the older T-hammer method.
Source
Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 165.
Public domain.