February 1944

  • Steinway & Sons begins to make several models of caskets for the National Casket Company (located a few miles away, at 29-76 Northern Boulevard, in Long Island City), and the New York & Brooklyn Casket Company.
  • One day, Theodore E. Steinway, whose four sons all serve in the military, walks into Steinway Hall and sees four types of caskets on display in a showroom. In silence, he leaves the showroom, locks himself in his office, and drinks whiskey.