Boehm, Theobald

Boehm, Theobald (1794-1881), German flautist, inventor, and metalworker, born in Munich. He was principal flautist with the Bavarian Court Orchestra, and well known as a soloist. He revolutionized the flute by changing the size and positioning of the holes to make them fall more easily under the hand. He also invented a new system of fingering which bears his name. The first Boehm flute appeared in 1832. It was a conical instrument with enlarged holes and ring keys which also controlled keys at a distance by means of connecting rods. But he was still not satisfied with the instrument, and in 1847 produced a cylindrical model with further enlarged holes and the ring keys replaced with padded covers. This is the standard flute design still in use today. Elements of Boehm's design were later applied to the clarinet (by Klosé) and the oboe (by Buffet). Boehm later went on to invent an overstrung piano and a new method of smelting iron.