Piano for Bedridden People
The foldable piano of 1935 was once considered a marvel of scientific and logical design, particularly for its unique purpose. This musical invention was specifically created for bedridden individuals who were unable to leave their beds. By placing the contraption at the foot of the bed and extending it towards the person’s hands, even those who were sick could still practice their musical skills. Though clunkier than modern-day keyboards, the “Invalid piano” in the image from the Spaarnestad Collection of the National Archives of the Netherlands is reminiscent of a contemporary keyboard. Interestingly, the image is attributed to Great Britain, even though the collection primarily focuses on the history of the Netherlands through its more than 13 million historic photos.