Kenneth Reiner
{{short description|American Industrialist, inventor}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kenneth Reiner
| image = Kenneth Reiner.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1916|04|12}}
| birth_place = Brooklyn, US
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2011|09|12|1916|04|12}}
| death_place = Long Beach, California
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = Industrialist, Inventor, Philanthropist{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazettes.com/news/inventor-philanthropist-reiner-dies/article_8da78f6c-e485-11e0-bca7-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Inventor, Philanthropist Reiner Dies|first=Harry SaltzgaverExecutive|last=Editor|website=www.Gazettes.com}}
|alma_mater = Purdue University
| education = B.E.E.
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works = Silvertop, Midtown School
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Helen Katherine|1940|1971|end=div}}
- {{marriage|Dorothy J Thomas|1971|2011}}
}}
| father = David Reiner
| mother = Hermione Reiner
| relatives = Rose Hartsworn (sister)
}}
Kenneth Reiner (April 2, 1916 {{endash}} September 12, 2011) was an American industrialist, philanthropist and inventor best known for constructing Silvertop, a landmark which is recognized one of the prominent architectural works of John Lautner.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-beats-president-luke-woods-john-lautner-designed-l-a-home-1516028062|title=Inside Beats President Luke Wood's John Lautner-Designed L.A. Home|first=Christina|last=Binkley|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=January 15, 2018|via=www.wsj.com}}{{cite book | last1=Hess | first1=J. | last2=Hess | first2=A. | last3=Lautner | first3=J. | last4=Weintraub | first4=A. | title=The Architecture of John Lautner | publisher=Universe Publishing | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-8478-2222-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9FPAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2020-09-17 | page=}} He also manufactured hair clips and Kaylock, a self-locking aircraft nut. After the World War II broke out, he invented spring steel Lady Ellen Klippies that subsequently captured 90% of market share. In 1974, he was charged with bankruptcy, leading him to sell Silvertop project.
At an apparent age of 75, he used to take part in singing lessons and later he became a prominent benefactor of Musical Theatre West, a musical theatre of Long Beach. After completing singing lessons, he along with his wife used to hosted musical salons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-xpm-2011-sep-23-la-me-kenneth-reiner-20110923-story.html|title=Kenneth Reiner dies at 95; industrialist built landmark Silvertop home|date=September 23, 2011|website=Los Angeles Times}}
Biography
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, US on April 2, 1916. He lived in Los Angeles by the latter. He received his initial schooling from the Brooklyn Ethical Culture School and graduated from the New York Boys High School in 1933. Later in 1937, he attended Purdue University where he obtained electrical engineering degree. He went to Los Angeles and was briefly employed at Lockheed Aircraft.{{Cite book |last=de Wit |first=Wim |title=Overdrive: L.A. Constructs the Future, 1940-1990 |last2=Alexander |first2=Christopher James |date=2013 |publisher=Getty Publications |isbn=978-1-60606-128-2 |pages=158 |language=en}} He started Kaynar Corp in 1943, a corporation designed to manufacture bolts for the aerospace manufacturer industry.
He also invented heating and cooling systems of low velocity, ceiling lights and light-transmitting electrical skylights. He constructed Midtown School in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. To construct a facility for Kaynar, Reiner hired Jack Hilmer but this project along with the construction of his Silvertop home was urned over to John Lautner.{{Cite book |last=Hess |first=Alan |title=Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970 |date=2007 |publisher=Gibbs Smith |isbn=978-1-58685-858-2 |location=Salt Lake City |pages=73 |language=en}} The Silvertop construction was partially completed at $1 million.{{Cite web|url=https://la.curbed.com/2011/9/23/10438856/the-man-who-helped-make-lautners-silvertop-a-reality|title=The Man Who Helped Make Lautner's Silvertop a Reality|first=Adrian Glick|last=Kudler|date=September 23, 2011|website=Curbed LA}} In 2014, Luke Wood purchased the house for $8.55 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-marvels-at-ghost-john-lautner-at-gala-hosted-by-beats-luke-wood-1046734|title=Hollywood Marvels at the Ghost of John Lautner at Gala Hosted by Beats' Luke Wood | Hollywood Reporter|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=October 6, 2017 }}
Death
He died in Long Beach, California, on September 12, 2011, after a chronic condition.{{cite web | last1=Woo | first1=Elaine | last2=Times | first2=Los Angeles | title=Kenneth Reiner dies at 95; industrialist built landmark Silvertop home | website=chicagotribune.com | date=2011-09-23 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/la-me-kenneth-reiner-20110923-story.html | access-date=2020-09-18}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite book | last=Bonvicini | first=P. | title=John Lautner: architettura organico-sperimentale | publisher=Dedalo | series=Universale di architettura | year=1981 | isbn=978-88-220-3347-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyaif-nBwssC&pg=PA51 | language=it | access-date=2020-09-17}}
- {{cite web | title=Reiner, Kenenth, House, Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA | website=PCAD | url=http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/2794/ | ref={{sfnref | PCAD}} | access-date=2020-09-17}}
- {{cite book | last=Rottenberg | first=D. | title=Finding Our Fathers: A Guidebook to Jewish Genealogy | publisher=Genealogical Publishing Company | year=1986 | isbn=978-0-8063-1151-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlL6kbumlKoC&pg=PA5 | access-date=2020-09-17}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reiner, Kenneth}}
Category:American industrialists