Music is an important part of being human and seems to be universal as some form of music is found in all cultures. Drums, rattles, and flutes seem to be the oldest musical instruments. Over the millennia, humans have invented numerous musical instruments, including the piano.
Pianos are not a particularly ancient musical instrument, but date back to the early 1700s when the softly dampened hammers of the piano began to replace the pluckier, tinnier sound of the harpsichord. The first piano was produced by Italian harpsichord maker Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori in 1709.
In London, Johannes Zumpe introduced the square piano in 1760. By the end of the eighteenth century, square pianos dominated as they were less expensive. By 1855, the square piano was the most popular style of piano. In that year, Steinway & Sons introduced a square piano with an iron frame that had exceptional sound quality.
While they remained popular during the nineteenth century, square pianos were gradually replaced by upright pianos. By 1880, the square pianos was officially “extinct” in both Europe and America.
Shown below are some museum displays of square pianos.
Heritage Station Museum, Pendleton, Oregon
The square piano shown above was made by the Sherman-Hyde company in the late 1800s.
Deschutes Historical Museum, Bend, Oregon
Fort Dalles Museum, The Dalles, Oregon
East Benton County Historical Society and Museum, Kennewick, Washington
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, California
Burrows House Museum, Newport, Oregon
Museums 201
This series compares similar exhibits from different museums. More from this series:
Museums 201: Upright pianos (photo diary)
Museums 201: Pump organs (photo diary)
Museums 201: Washing machines (photo diary)
Museums 201: Quilts (photo diary)
Museums 201: Bicycles (photo diary)
Museums 201: The timber industry (photo diary)
Museums 201: Women's sidesaddles (photo diary)
Museums 201: Forest fire lookouts (photo diary)