Bartolomeo Cristofori was the first person to create a successful hammer-action keyboard instrument and,
accordingly, deserves to be credited as the inventor of the piano.
Timeline of Piano’s History
1767
Zumpe’s design is known as a square piano and he introduced it in 1766. Johann Christian Bach the Queen’s music master, endorsed the instrument in 1768
1771
Broadwood produced his first square piano in 1771, after the model of Johannes Zumpe, and worked assiduously to develop and refine the instrument
1807
Crehore built only a few pianos, he would still be important for having taught his craft to two pairs of brothers from Milton. The first was William Bent (1772–1851)
and his younger brother Adam, who, after completing their training, established a shop at 90 Newbury Street by 1798, making them the first piano makers in Boston proper.
1830
John Broadwood and Sons created this elegant concert grand fortepiano made by the traditional company of Broadwood and Sons shows an important step in the
evolution from the first fortepianos at the end of the 18th century to the modern pianos of today.
1840
This grand piano was made by Pleyel in Paris, France in 1866.
1920
Many Pianola Pianos were manufactured in Gotha, and fine instruments they are too, but after the First World War
and the introduction of import duties, most European production was transferred to the Aeolian factories near London, England.
1930
Art Deco Upright Piano by Invicta, ca
1947
The Clavioline originally designed by M. Constant. Martin in 1947 at his factory in Versailles, France.
1980
Steinway Professional Upright Piano
2000’s
The world’s largest playable piano, built in New Zealand in 2000, has 156 keys and weighs 1.4 tons.