Theobald Boehm was born in Munich, Bavaria. His father was a goldsmith, and after learning his father’s trade, the young boy was able to fabric his own flute. He soon became a skilled flautist and joined an orchestra at 17 years old. By 21, he was First Flautist at the Royal Bavarian Orchestra. While working as a professional musician, Boehm continued to make flutes with different materials, including silver, gold, nickel, tropical hardwoods, and more. He would also experiment with the flute tone holes.

Boehm studied acoustics at the University of Munich, where he continued to experiment and improve the flute. In 1847, he patented his first fingering system. Moreover, he published Über den Flötenbau (“On the construction of flutes”) in the same year. In 1851, he showcased his new flute at the London Exhibition. Many years later in 1871, Boehm published Die Flöte und das Flötenspiel ("The Flute and Flute-Playing”), a sort of manual explaining the technical and artistic features of Boehm’s flute.

In addition to being an inventor and skilled musician, Theobald Boehm was an important composer. His repertoire includes pieces like Souvenir des Alpes, 24 Études, Op. 37, Elégie, Op. 47, Grand Polonaise in D Major, Op. 16, and more.

Photo credit: Michael Brandmüller