John Broadwood

• Name  : Broadwood
• Born  : 1732
• Died  : 1812
• Category  : Inventors
• Finest Moment : Getting the keys to the firm

Born in Cockburnspath, Berwickshire (as Braidwood), he went to London in 1761, where he gained employment with the firm of Schudi, makers of harpsichords. He made an even better career move when he married his employer's daughter! He ended up as manager, and the firm is still run as John Broadwood and Sons.

Broadwood began a series of inventions and innovations to the design of the instruments of the day, producing the first piano in 1780. They were the forerunners to the modern Grand Piano, and were played, amongst others, by Beethhoven, himself an innovator in music, particularly with the piano.

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