How the Piano Came to Be

Written in the early 1910s, 'How the Piano Came to Be' by Ellye Howell Glover provides a historical account of the piano's evolution from ancient stringed instruments to its modern form. The book explores the cultural significance of the piano in Western music, detailing innovations such as the hammer mechanism introduced by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Glover highlights key figures in the piano's history and contrasts its acceptance with older instruments like the harpsichord, celebrating the piano's impact on music and personal expression.