Kaehni Brothers papers
Creation: 1915-1917 Creation: 1933 Creation: 1948 Creation: 1998Abstract
The Kaehni brothers, William "Bill" L. Kaehni (1895-1950) and Francis "Frank" J. Kaehni (1897-1986) were electronics engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. The brothers invented radio transmitters, navigational devices for airplanes and ships, transistorized car ignitions, and heat control systems. They also built and installed public address systems. This small collection primarily consists of the Kaehni brothers' class notes from courses taken at the Case School of Applied Science (now folded into Case Western Reserve University). The notes are most likely Bill Kaehni's, but could also be Frank Kaehni's, as they are mostly undated. Of significance is a bound biography written in 1998 by David C. Barnett using documents from the Kaehni family and firsthand accounts from their sister, Marie Kaehni, who provides her own memories in the afterword.
Dates
- Creation: 1915-1917
- Creation: 1933
- Creation: 1948
- Creation: 1998
Creator
- Kaehni, William L., 1895-1950 (Person)
- Kaehni , Francis J., 1897-1986 (Person)
Extent
.5 Linear Feet
Biographical Note
The Kaehni brothers, William "Bill" L. Kaehni (1895-1950) and Francis "Frank" J. Kaehni (1897-1986), were electronics engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. The brothers invented radio transmitters, navigational devices for airplanes and ships, transistorized car ignitions, and heat control systems. They also built and installed public address systems.
They patented many inventions at the beginning of commercial radio and were the founders of one of the first radio stations in the country, starting in Cleveland, Ohio.
The brothers were born to Pauline Kahni (1868-1924) and Wilhelm Kahni (1867-1925), who immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, from Adelhausen, Germany, in the 1860s. The spelling then changed to Kaehni. The couple also had a daughter, Marie Kaehni (1909-2007).
The two brothers studied electrical engineering at Case School of Applied Science (now folded into Case Western Reserve University). They both served in World War I. Upon returning from the war, William Kaehni worked at the Long Lines Division of American Telegraph & Telephone Company (AT&T), and Frank Kaehni was a ship operator for Western Union.
In 1927, they opened the Kaehni Bros. Radio Studio in partnership with RCA and sold Victrolas and Radiolas out of their home; the idea was to enable customers to hear the sound quality in an actual home. The business tagline was "Our Work Speaks for Itself."
Scope and Contents
This small collection primarily consists of the Kaehni brothers' class notes from courses taken at the Case School of Applied Science. The notes are most likely Bill Kaehni's, but could also be Frank Kaehni's, as they are mostly undated.
The classes include Alternating Currents, Control Distribution, Electricity, Machine Design, and Mechanics. Topics cover A/C motors, A/C transformers, two-phase and three-phase measurements, controller design, disc clutch design, hydraulics, motor starters, magnetic circuits, riveted joints, gears, belts, and shafts.
There is a set of notes related to sound wavelengths and amplification. These do not seem to be class notes.
Another set of notes is labeled with William Kaehni's name and dated 1916. These are of various plant site power details, complete with drawings and descriptions related to lighting, insulating, arrangement of the powerhouse, boilers, etc.
Of significance is a bound biography written in 1998 by David C. Barnett using documents from the Kaehni family and firsthand accounts from their sister, Marie Kaehni, who provides her own memories in the afterword.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Kaehni Brothers papers
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2024
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
