The Science behind the Sound
| Ohm |
The development of pianos during the 18th and 19th century was not only influenced by the practical applications of the industrial revolution, but also the new scientific theories that emerged as well. Most notable, the contribution of Hermann von Helmholtz and Georg Simon Ohm.
| Helmholtz |
In 1843, Ohm stated the fundamental principles of physiological acoustics, studying how humans hear combinations of tones. Though his assumptions were not totally justified, they provided the basis for psychoacoustics.
The next major development occurred in 1862 when Hemholtz looked at music theory and the perception of sound, a study based on Ohm's work. Hemoltz explained the origin of music on the basis of his fundamental physiological hypothesis and formulated a resonance theory explaining an further explanation of Ohm's principle. Hemoltz's work provided a basis for the piano innovations of Steinway in the latter half of the 19th century.