In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler and business partner Wilhelm Maybach developed one of the first gasoline-powered engines, known as "the grandfather clock engine". At some point in 1888, Daimler met piano maker William Steinway, son of Steinway & Sons founder Henry E. Steinway and a former associate of Maybach. Some sources state that Daimler visited New York as a member of a male voice choir and by chance met William Steinway.
In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler and his partner Wilhelm Maybach created one of the first gasoline-powered engines, nicknamed "the grandfather clock engine".  Around 1888, Daimler encountered piano maker William Steinway, son of Henry E. Steinway, a former associate of Maybach. Some accounts suggest that Daimler's visit to New York involved joining a male choir and that he met Steinway by chance.