Google Doodle celebrates the 195th anniversary of the 1829 patent for the great accordion

The Google Doodle commemorates the birthday of the accordion which was patented on 23rd May 1829. The word ‘accordion’ is derived from the German word ‘Akkord’, which means strings. The instrument conjures up memories of a free string instrument with bellows. It has an influence on various music genres including jazz pop, folk and classical music. This versatile accordion has left a lasting impact on the music industry.

Talking about the history of the accordion, the Google Doodle mentions this. During the late 1800s, the accordion’s popularity was growing among folk musicians across Europe. With its spread, German manufacturers made more efforts to increase the production of accordions. This time was a golden age for the use of accordions in European folk music. It made it a popular and prominent instrument.

Initially, the accordion was equipped with buttons on only one side. Each button produced the sound of a full chord. The instrument is characterized by producing two chords with a single button: one when the bellows are extended and one when the bellows are compressed.

As Europeans migrated globally, the accordion’s musical influence grew, according to the Google Doodle. Google has further celebrated the instrument over the years, placing it in many musical genres, including Cajun music and folk music.

Today, the accordion’s melodies are heard in a variety of musical styles, including folk tango, Cajun Latino polka, and more. Notably, the accordion plays an important role in events like Oktoberfest. Its vibrant tones complete the atmosphere of the fair, filled with entertainment and traditional clothing like dirndl dresses and lederhosen.

The Google Doodle has a sense of humor when it says “everything is going according to plan” with Melody Maker on hand. This traditional sound continues to influence German celebrations and music 200 years later.

History of the accordion: The original form of the accordion is credited to Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann, who invented it in Berlin around 1822.

There is little documentation of the early history of the accordion in Russia. According to Russian researchers Ivan Sizov and Timofey Vorontsov made simple accordions in Tula, Russia around 1830. By the late 1840s the instrument had gained recognition. About 10,000 instruments were being manufactured annually in the workshops of these two craftsmen. This number increased substantially over time. In 1874 production exceeded 700,000 units per year.

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