William J. Behr

Biography

William J. Behr, son of Henry Behr, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 5, 1872. He graduated from the Polytechnic school in 1890 and studied piano-making in all its branches in his father's factory, qualifying as a thorough piano expert. He was admitted to partnership in 1899, and in 1902 was entrusted with management of the factory and sales department. Continuing his father's policy of producing the best possible piano, he achieved particular results improving the Behr Player Piano, which became an important branch of the business. Among the patents controlled by Behr Brothers and Company during his tenure was a stringing system in which the strings of one note are strung to the right and those of the adjoining note to the left on the sound board bridge, to neutralize the one-directional strain otherwise placed on the bridge.

Highlights

• Born in Brooklyn, New York, January 5, 1872; graduated from the Polytechnic school in 1890
• Admitted to partnership in 1899 and given management of the factory and sales department in 1902
• Improved the Behr player piano and is associated with a patented stringing system that alternates string direction across adjoining notes to neutralize strain on the sound board bridge

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), p. 42.

Public domain.