Ctesibius of Alexandria
2nd century B.C.
Biography
Old records cited by Dolge mention a hydraulic organ invented by Ctesibius of Alexandria in the second century B.C., though no reference is made to that organ having a keyboard. Dolge introduces Ctesibius at the opening of his discussion of the origin of the keyboard for musical instruments, which he states cannot be traced with complete accuracy. Ctesibius's hydraulic organ is presented as one of the earliest known predecessor instruments in the lineage that eventually led to keyed stringed instruments and, ultimately, the piano, even though the keyboard mechanism itself is not attributed to him in this account. No further biographical detail is supplied.
Highlights
- Credited with inventing a hydraulic organ in the 2d century B.C.
Source
Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 77.
Public domain.