"STORYTONE" PIANO
STORY & CLARK / RCA, 1939
Designed by Robert Budlong, who had by then racked up much attention with his striking designs for Zenith radios in the latest Deco styling, the StoryTone piano was one of the darlings of the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. Available in the sleek Deco style here or a more conventional style, the StoryTone piano made use of the Benjamin Miessner patents and RCA electronics to create a durable instrument that has become highly regarded by period curators. A radio and phonograph are fitted into the bench that plays through the electronics inside the piano.
The piano uses electric pickups similar to an electric guitar in lieu of a soundboard, and without the soundboard to dissipate the energy, the vibration of the string can continue for far longer than any conventional piano. It was marketed extensively with success until the WWII repurposing of American industry brought all piano production to a halt. Following the war, Story & Clark resumed making a “Storytone piano,” but now with a mahogany soundboard and lacking any electronics.
This innovative piano occupies Tier 4 of the Museum's adoption packages. The total pledge amount for this instrument is $2,500, paid over the course of 5 years. Click the button below to begin discussing your adoption pledge.
1939 Story & Clark / RCA "StoryTone" Piano
"STORYTONE" PIANO
STORY & CLARK / RCA
1939
Designed by Robert Budlong, who had by then racked up much attention with his striking designs for Zenith radios in the latest Deco styling, the StoryTone piano was one of the darlings of the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. Available in the sleek Deco style here or a more conventional style, the StoryTone piano made use of the Benjamin Miessner patents and RCA electronics to create a durable instrument that has become highly regarded by period curators. A radio and phonograph are fitted into the bench that plays through the electronics inside the piano.
The piano uses electric pickups similar to an electric guitar in lieu of a soundboard, and without the soundboard to dissipate the energy, the vibration of the string can continue for far longer than any conventional piano. It was marketed extensively with success until the WWII repurposing of American industry brought all piano production to a halt. Following the war, Story & Clark resumed making a “Storytone piano,” but now with a mahogany soundboard and lacking any electronics.
This innovative piano occupies Tier 4 of the Museum's adoption packages. The total pledge amount for this instrument is $2,500, paid over the course of 5 years. Click the button below to begin discussing your adoption pledge.
