Gustav Otto Ludolf Heine

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Gustav Otto Ludolf Heine (January 7, 1868 - April 23, 1959) was the owner of a successful piano business (Heine Piano Company) in San Francisco, which was formerly his boss's (Bruenn Piano Company) . He was born near Boizenburg (Ludwigslust district) in the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on January 7th, 1868.

He moved to Napa Valley, possibly in 1873, with his parents and seven siblings. By the time he was sixteen years old, he moved to San Francisco getting a job sweeping floors at the Bruenn Piano Company. He was soon trained as a piano tuner, and within two years became partner at Bruenn. After a disagreement, Heine forcefully became owner of the company. Gustav sold pianos made by other manufacturers under his name. His pianos may say Cleveland and San Francisco.

Gustav is credited with having the only known car built from San Francisco, the Heine-Velox. Gustav died on April 23rd, 1959 in Sunol, California, southwest of S.F. across the Bay in Alameda County.