Casio

Casio was founded by fabrication engineer Tadao Kashio in 1946. The company's first major product was the 'yubiwa pipe', a finger ring that accommodated a cigarette. The device was a big success, and Kashio used the money to begin developing and releasing calculators, standardising the 10-key number pad and single display window in the process.

In 1980, Casio released the Casiotone 201, an affordable electronic keyboard with full-sized keys and a slightly wonky sound engine. Based on vowel-consonant synthesis, the engine produced approximations of acoustic instruments so 'unique' that the Casiotone remains sort-after by professional musicians to this day. The company reissued the Casiotone in 2019 with a sleek new design destined to mark it as another classic.

Casio introduced its Privia range in 2003, this line of digital pianos packs the sound and feel of a grand piano into a slim frame convenient for display and transport. It also supports the brand's Chordana Play app, an engaging learn-to-play companion. With their proprietary AiR sound engine, scaled hammer action keybeds and integrated interactivity, the company has made learning the piano a fun, accessible, and highly-portable experience.