Josef Herrburger

Biography

Josef Herrburger was born at Dauendorf, Alsace, in 1832. He went to Paris in 1853 and began working for Jean Schwander in 1854, demonstrating both organizational ability and inventive skill as a mechanician. He designed numerous machines and appliances for action making and invented several improvements to piano actions, helping make the Schwander action factory the best-equipped establishment of its kind, with products shipped worldwide and young makers coming from across the Continent to study its methods. He became a partner in the firm in 1865 and married into the Schwander family. Herrburger retired from business in 1900 and was succeeded by his son, Josef Herrburger, Jr.

Highlights

• Designed machines and appliances for action making
• Made the Schwander action factory the best-equipped establishment of its kind
• Retired in 1900, succeeded by his son Josef Herrburger Jr.

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 261.

Public domain.