Ernst Zacharias

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ernst Zacharias (born June 21, 1924 - † July 6, 2020 ) was a German engineer . From 1954 to 2006 he invented various electro-mechanical musical instruments for the German musical instrument manufacturer Hohner , most of which were variations of old baroque instruments.

Career

Zacharias grew up in Neumünster and was deployed as an anti-aircraft helper in the Air Force during World War II . He completed an apprenticeship as an acoustician, attended the state engineering school in Kiel and was employed by the Deutsche Bundespost in the early 1950s , where he took the telecommunications engineer exam. After working as a freelancer for Hohner for some time, he moved with his family to Trossingen in 1954 to work fully in Hohner Development.

Developed by Zacharias and constructed in 1958 the Cembalet (derived from the harpsichord ), 1962 Pianet , 1964, the Clavinet (derived from the clavichord ), and the Guitaret (a kind of electric kalimba or Sansa). With the exception of the clavinet, all these instruments are based on sound generation by metal tongues that are set in vibration with a plectrum (harpsichord), a hammer (pianet) or a finger strike (guitaret). The sounds were picked up with electromagnetic pickups and connected to amplifiers.

Zacharias was also the constructor and designer of the electromechanical organs Honerola and Minetta as well as the inventor, constructor and designer of the Hohner instruments Electra-Piano, Claviola (design: Gerhard Knoppek), Electra-Melodica, voice boy, visual tuner and modulator. Even after he retired in 1989, he continued to work as a freelancer for Hohner.

He has registered over 50 patents, mostly for Hohner, but also for Bontempi .

Zacharias lived in Hamburg since 2009. Most recently he worked on the development of a dynamic organ.

family

Ernst Zacharias was married and had three daughters and a son. One daughter died of leukemia when she was a child .

literature

  • Alfred Thiele, one of the most creative minds at Hohner , in: Trossinger Jahrbuch 2009
  • Martin Häffner, Ernst Zacharias: brilliant inventor in the service of Hohner , in: Die Neckarquelle , July 25, 2020 ( beginning of article )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ keyboards.de: The Hohner Clavinet and its inventor Ernst Zacharias
  2. ↑ soundonsound.com: Ernst Zacharias & The Hohner Clavinet
personal data
SURNAME Zacharias, Ernst
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German engineer and musical instrument maker
DATE OF BIRTH June 21, 1924
DATE OF DEATH July 6, 2020