Alfred GreinerQuite often the successful introduction of a product is the result of a cooperative effort that involves persons from research, engineering, manufacturing as well as specialized areas, such as glass working/blowing. For success to occur there can be no void in this synergetic activity. More often than not one who is skilled in glass blowing, or working, is essential for success, although such an input into a project is often rarely mentioned. This write-up is about one such individual who was an essential player in many projects; his name was Alfred Greiner.

Alfred Greiner (12 Jul 1898 - 24 Dec 1972) was a native of Germany, having come to the United States in 1929. He worked at Nela Park, the GE Lighting headquarters for 34 years, having retired in 1963.

The first patent issued to Greiner, which is given below, resulted in a sealed beam automotive headlight being introduced by General Electric in 1939. The "Circular Electric lamp" patented in 1948 resulted in the Circline family of lamps being introduced in 1945 (patent applied for 7 May 1945) and, later in time, Circlite (1970s), which could be utilized in portable lamps. Greiner's issued U. S. patents are listed below.

Item---No.-----------------------Description---------------------------Date-----------------------Co-Inventor
1) 1,980,840 - Seal for Electric Lamps and Similar Articles - 1934/11/13 - with Daniel K. Wright
2) 2,191,346 - Electric Lamp or Similar Device and Method of Manufacture - 1940/02/20
3) 2,392,661 - Base for Electric Lamps or Similar Devices - 1946/01/08
4) 2,427,722 - Glass Tube Heating Apparatus - 1947/09/23
5) 2,449,650 - Incandescent Lamp and Method of Manufacture - 1948/09/21
6) 2,453,986 - Circular Electric Lamp - 1948/11/16 - with August W. Seitz
7) 2,465,084 - Incandescent Lamp and Method of Manufacture - 1949/03/22
8) 2,473,878 - Electric Lamp of Double Spiral Convolution - 1949/06/21
9) 2,476,658 - Glass Tube Bending Apparatus - 1949/07/19
10) 2,491,857 - Method and Apparatus for Coiling Elongated Vitreous Stock - 1949/12/20
11) 2,494,870 - Apparatus for Sealing Glass and Metal Members - 1950/01/17
12) 2,494,871 - Apparatus for Bending Glass Tubes - 1950/01/17
13) 2,494,872 - Method and Apparatus for Bending Tubular Glass Articles - 1950/01/17 - with August W. Seitz
14) 2,497,545 - Electric Lamp or Similar Device and Method of Manufacture - 1950/02/14
15) 2,504,521 - Quartz-to-Metal Seal - 1950/04/18
16) 2,504,522 - Quartz-to-Metal Seal - 1950/04/18
17) 2,515,706 - Method of Sealing Metal to Glass - 1950/07/18 - with Elliot Q. Adams
18) 2,523,015 - Glass Tube Bending Method and Apparatus - 1950/09/19
19) 2,542,325 - Glass Tube Bending Apparatus - 1951/02/20 - with August W. Seitz
20) 2,542,326 - Electric Lamp and Manufacture Thereof - 1951/02/20
21) 2,561,859 - Method of Shaping Vitreous Tubes - 1951/07/24

The first page of the patent that describes the circular lamp is shown below.

Below is the first page of the patent that led to the sealed beam automobile headlight.

In addition to the U. S. patents given above, Greiner held 20 Canadian and 3 German patents.

Alfred Greiner was an amateur musician, being able to play the violin, cello, flute and French horn. He was a former member of the Al Koran Shrine Band, Hermit Club Orchestra and the Hillcrest Concert Band.

Greiner married Katharine M. McKee and they had two sons, Raymond and Kenneth. Albert Greiner passed away in Lakeside Hospital of University Hospitals.

Bibliography
1) Paul W. Keating, Lamps for a Brighter America - A History of the General Electric Lamp Business, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1954, pg 187.
2) Death Notice, The Plain Dealer, Dec 26, 1972, pg 9D.
3) Obituary, "Alfred Greiner Dies; Memorial Rites Set", The Plain Dealer, Dec 26, 1972, pg 5C.
4) Social Security Death Index.
5) European Patent Office Website.