1.Growing Demand and Limited Supply: Ivory was primarily sourced from elephants, which were hunted for their tusks. As the demand for ivory increased, the elephant population came under threat. Due to concerns over the endangerment of elephants and international regulations, the availability and use of ivory in various products, including piano keys, began to decline.
2.Environmental Awareness and Conservation: The rising awareness about environmental conservation and the impacts of wildlife trade fostered a shift towards sustainable materials. People started advocating against using ivory in products like piano keys, and there was a public outcry against the unnecessary killing of elephants.
3.Synthetic Materials as Substitutes: The piano industry began to explore alternative materials that could offer a similar feel and appearance to ivory. Plastics and other synthetic materials emerged as viable substitutes for ivory, making them suitable for piano keys.
As a result, the use of ivory in piano keys gradually decreased over time, and most modern pianos manufactured after the 1970s typically feature synthetic materials or imitation ivory keys.