The first form of the harmonica, known as the sheng, was invented in China in 3000 B.C. The Sheng was a free
How long has harmonicas been around?
The harmonica was first invented in China, a few thousand years ago. This instrument, called the "Sheng", had bamboo reeds, and became a prominent instrument in Asian traditional music. The Sheng was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century, and soon became popular.
When was the harmonica popular?
By the 1920s, the diatonic harmonica had largely reached its modern form. Other types followed soon thereafter, including the various tremolo and octave harmonicas. By the late 19th century, harmonica production was a big business, having evolved into mass production.
