When was the drum kit invented?

There is no one definitive answer to this question as the drum kit is an evolving instrument that has origins in many different cultures and traditions. However, it is generally agreed that the modern drum kit as we know it today was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States.

Around this time, various percussion instruments like snare drums, bass drums, tom drums, and cymbals were combined to create a single "kit" of drums that could be played by one musician. Initially known as a "trap set" due to the use of foot pedals and other mechanisms, the drum kit became an indispensable part of jazz bands and later gained popularity in other genres including rock, pop, and blues.

It's worth noting that certain aspects of the drum kit, such as the bass drum pedal and hi-hat stand, were invented even earlier. But it was through the convergence of these innovations and the evolving needs of modern music that the drum kit emerged into its current form.