Correspondence, 1871 - 1970, bulk: 1918 - 1965

This series contains correspondence between Miessner and various companies, organizations, and individuals. Correspondents whose letters are present in the collection include but are not limited to members of Miessner’s family, including his brother William Otto Miessner, his father, and his two daughters; piano manufacturers, including but not limited to the Wurlitzer company, Story and Clark Piano Company, and Baldwin Company; his patent lawyers, especially Edward H. Loftin and Charles T. Jacobs; journal and magazine publishing companies, including Piano Trade Magazine, Electronics, and Radio-Electronics; and his employees Fred Merrill and Victor Mumma.

Subjects of Miessner’s correspondence includes but is not limited to his experiments and inventions, including ordering and repairing parts and patenting and licensing his inventions; reports to his employers on the progress of his work; publishing articles and letters to the editor written by Miessner; and various topics of interest to Miessner, including creativity and its role in inventing, bird songs, radio, and musical instruments.

Some correspondence may also be found in other series, when it is coupled with other document types, including in Experiments and Inventions, Legal Matters, Publications, and Subject Files. Correspondence on the subject of patent legislation and reform can be found in the Patent Legislation and Reform sub-series of the Legal Matters series. Correspondence related to John Hays Hammond, Jr. and Miessner’s dispute with him can be found in the “John Hays Hammond, Jr. Feud” series. Correspondence related to Miessner’s time in the United States Navy can be found in the Navy Career series.