Innovation Timeline

Important Events in Guitar & Music.

• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1850 – Torres
  When-from: 1850 | Who: Antonio de Torres Jurado | What: The shape of the modern guitar evolves from experimentation by Torres.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1850 – X-Bracing
  When-from: 1850s | Who: Martin guitars. But other American and European luthiers were also experimenting with bracing patterns for guitar. | What: X-Bracing developed for acoustic guitars. An alternate to Torres fan bracing. | Why: Luthiers were experimenting with ways to increase vibration (sound/volume) of guitar top while providing required strength.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1889 – Hawaiian Steel Guitar
  When-from: 1889 | Who: Joseph Kekuku | What: Invention of the Hawaian Steel Guitar
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1900 – The 12-String Guitar
  When-from: 1890 | Who: Unknown | What: The modern 12 String Guitar | Why: To make the guitar louder.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1890 – Steel Strings
  When-from: 1890s or earlier | Who: Unknown | What: Guitar players began substituting steel strings (steel wire at first) for gut strings. | Why: To make the guitar louder.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1902 – The Archtop Guitar
  When-from: 1902 | Who: Orville H. Gibson | What: Development of the archtop guitar. | Why: Archtop mandolins and guitars were created by Gibson to use the principles of violin design to make louder instruments. | With: The Gibson Mandolin Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd. The company was founded by 5 Kalamazoo businessmen. Orville was paid a salary. The company was named for him but wasn't his.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1916 – Dreadnought Guitar
  When-from: 1916 | Who: Frank Martin and Harry Hunt | What: Development of dreadnought style guitar. | Why: with its large body and booming bass, Hunt reasoned the dreadnought would be ideal for accompanying vocals.
• The Adjustable Truss Rod
  When-from: 1921 | Who: Ted McHugh for Gibson | What: The adjustable truss rod. | Why: Counteract neck bow due to increased tension from steel strings.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1922 – F-hole Archtop Guitar
  When-from: 1922 | Who: Lloyd Loar | What: First F-Hole Guitar | With: Gibson Guitar Company
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1927 – Tricone Resonator Guitar
  When-from: 1927 | Who: John Dopyera | What: Tricone Resonator Guitar | Why: Make a louder guitar | With: George Beauchamp
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1929 – 14 Frets
  When-from: 1929 | Who: Frank Henry Martin, Martin Guitars | What: Increased the number of accessable frets from 12 to 14 | Why: Increase access to upper frets - appeal to banjo players switching to guitar. | With: Perry Bechtel
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1928 – Single Cone Biscuit Resonator Guitar
  When-from: 1929 | Who: George Beauchamp | What: Invention of the Single Cone Biscuit Bridge Resonator Guitar | Why: To make a louder guitar that was less expensive than the tricone resonator guitar. | With: John Dopyera (Patent was in George Beauchamp's name but John Dopyera was probably the true inventor).
• Selmer plus Maccaferri equals Gypsy Jazz Guitar
  When-from: 1932 | Who: Mario Maccaferri | What: Design of Selmer Maccaferri "Gypsy Jazz" Guitars
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1929 – Single Cone Spider Resonator Guitar
  When-from: 1932 | Who: Rudolph Dopyera | What: Invention of the 3rd type of resonator guitar. Single cone resonator with a "spider bridge". | With: John Dopyera. Rudy's name was on the patent for the invention but his brother John was the true inventor for this and likely all variations of resonator guitars.
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1937 – The Seven String Guitar
  When-from: 1933 | Who: George Van Eps | What: Modern Seven String Guitar | Why: Add "piano" like bass accompaniment | With: Epistopheles Statopoulo (The "Epi" in Epiphone)
• Modern Guitar Innovations – 1934 – First Electric Guitar
  When-from: 1934 | Who: George Beauchamp | What: First Electric Guitar | Why: Make a louder guitar and take advantage of the popularity of Hawaiian music. | With: Adolph Rickenbacker