Thomas Danquard

Biography

Thomas Danquard obtained a patent on August 2, 1904, for a device called the flexible finger, by which the wippen of the piano action is attacked directly, eliminating harshness of contact and adding elasticity without interfering with the piano action's function. Dolge illustrates the mechanism as installed in a piano. Danquard is also credited, together with Keeley, with inventing the "Temponome," a system of markings for player-piano music rolls indicating tempo, introduced in 1911. Thomas Danquard was one of the experts who assisted Charles Kohler at the Auto-Pneumatic Action Company. In 1904 he obtained a patent for a device called the 'flexible finger,' by means of which the wippen of the piano action is attached directly to the player mechanism, eliminating the harshness of contact and imparting elasticity without interfering with the piano action's function.

Highlights

• Patented the "flexible finger" mechanism (Aug 2, 1904) to reduce harshness of contact in player actions
• Co-invented, with Keeley, the "Temponome" tempo-marking system (1911)
• Assisted Charles Kohler at the Auto-Pneumatic Action Company
• Obtained a patent in 1904 for the 'flexible finger,' attaching the wippen directly to the player mechanism to eliminate harshness of contact

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 154.

Public domain.