When was the acoustic guitar first invented?

There is no single point in time when the acoustic guitar was invented, as it is the result of a gradual process of development and refinement over several centuries. The earliest precursors of the acoustic guitar can be traced back to the 15th century, with the vihuela in Spain and the gittern in England. These instruments had a box-shaped body and were played with a plectrum. Over time, these early guitars underwent various changes and improvements, such as the addition of a neck and the development of different stringing patterns. By the 19th century, the acoustic guitar had taken on its modern form, with six strings and a steel-reinforced neck. The first documented use of the term "acoustic guitar" dates back to 1897.