Q- Why was the piano invented?

I couldn't make this site without including a page on the piano. This big, strangely shaped box of wood, felt and strings has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. However, it has gone through a number of changes through the years.
 

In The Beginning- The Pianosaurus

Pianosaurus was my first piano. Okay, so it was hardly a full sized keyboard, the black notes were only decorative, and it was lacking a bit in tone quality- but look at that puddum! Could anyone resist that cheery purple plastic smile? It even came with a little songbook, which taught you such tunes as 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. I ate it, as three year olds do. It was delicious. *Sigh*- they don't make paper that tasty anymore.
 
 
 

The Present- Baldwin Upright

I've had the same piano since I started piano lessons- my good ol' Baldwin upright.  It's done pretty well for itself- it's been moved numerous times, survived the two floods that swept through my house, travelled hundreds of kilometres to be with me at university- and it hasn't broken a string yet. It does, however, have a tendancy to go out of tune when your breathe on it.

Baby Piano (legless)
I bought this piano for 50 cents at a second-hand store. When I got it home, I discovered that some enterprising youngster had jammed four batteries into the hole in the casing (note- did I mention this is NOT a battery operated toy?) It took me four hours to get those damn batteries out.
It's not the most musical of instruments... but it's just so darn cute!
 
 

The Future- Bösendorfer Grand

A girl can dream, can't she? The Bösey Grand is the king of the musical jungle. It also comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Still, if I stop eating, moving, and doing anything that costs any money whatsoever, I should be able to afford one in...oh, about fifty years.