The Erlandsens made tools that became an industry standard in three areas: bow drills, infill planes, and tuning hammers. I’ll start with the tuning hammers.
Napoleon Erlandsen, a Danish immigrant (b. 1831) who moved to New York, began making tools for the piano trade around 1863. Napoleon was a skilled machinist, designer and woodworker, and he developed a tool making business that supplied Hammacher Schlemmer, American Felt Co., and Schley, as well as other piano tool and supply retailers. He developed a full line of tools for tuners, action regulators, case makers, bellymen, and other allied tradesmen. His son, Julius, joined him in the early 1880s, and they worked together until about 1894, when Napoleon retired. Napoleon was severely injured in a streetcar accident and died as a result of his injuries in 1900. Julius continued the business until at least 1925, according to city directories, but Julius did state his active profession in the 1930 US census as “machinist.”
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From: Martin Shepherd
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