Manufacturing: Geared for Profit

Interior of C.F. Martin & Co. factory, 1925
The popularity of the ukulele encouraged C.F. Martin & Co. to produce the instruments in the 1920s.  Ukulele bodies ready for assembly are shown on the right of this photograph.  Martin gained a large share of the market, which outsold their guitars two to one.

Musical instruments were among the first trademarked products sold in the U.S. An industry dispute between the American Piano Company and Knabe & Sons helped create America’s Trademark Law in 1912.

Coal and wood shortages during World War I had a profound effect on the piano industry, forcing manufacturers to cut production in half. But, as one manufacturer noted: “The strife of war has greatly enhanced the appreciation of music, creating a robust trade.”

After the war, production moved into high gear to meet demand. All segments of the industry prospered. Although the postwar piano industry wrestled with the strongest labor unrest since the Chicago strikes of 1901, huge player piano sales made up for losses.

Then changing technology and the stock market crash of 1929 sent manufacturers scrambling to close plants, cut costs and merge with competitors to stay alive as the 1920s ended.