Piano

Invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori

The invention of the piano is attributed to Bartolomeo Cristofori, a Florentine instrument maker who, in 1710, built the first pianos with a hammer mechanism. This technique allowed the player for the first time to play loudly or quietly by striking the keys heavily or more lightly. The two most common types of pianos nowadays are the grand piano with a horizontal case resting on legs, and the smaller upright piano with its strings arranged vertically.