The modern guitar can easily be recognized as one of the most influential and renowned instruments in the world. The guitar recognized today has been around for hundreds of years and still leaves a legacy in the musical world. Some of the earliest versions of the guitar dating back to 1400 BC have evolved into what is known as the modern guitar through design innovation. Before the use of synthetic materials in the development of guitars, a guitar was defined as an instrument having "a long fretted neck, flat wooden soundboard, sides and flat back, most often with curved sides" (quote) The oldest known guitar-like instrument displaying these characteristics was the stringed instrument that a Hittite bard held in a stone sculpture, demonstrating how guitar-like instruments had already gained popularity in past societies guitar derives from the Latin word cithara, but the modern guitar itself is not believed to be descended from the Roman instrument. The first historical use of the term guitar dates back to the Middle Ages, in the 12th century guitarra Latina (Latin guitar). The Moorish guitar was a four-course instrument, with a pegbox that sloped backwards from the neck in a shallow curve. It also featured a large fingerboard and several sound holes. The body was oval in shape, like the outline of an egg. The soundboard was believed to be made of leather like the modern banjo. The Latin guitarra also consisted of four single strings and had a single soundhole and a narrower neck. Its size ranged from a baritone ukulele to a modern acoustic guitar. In the 14th century the “Moorish” and “Latin” qualifications were abandoned and these… middle of paper… ready to disappear, and without mechanics. That's why he went to the rectangular head'” (Freeth 54). These innovations led to the recognition of the guitar in early American culture. After Martin's innovations, the evolution of the guitar has reached the point of what is recognizable as the modern acoustic guitar. To this day, further innovations in guitar design are still in the works in an effort to meet the particular musical needs of guitarists. The most notable modern innovation would be the invention of the electric guitar. Although the electric guitar has made a profound statement in American music, much of the electric guitar's greatness should be attributed to the refinements and innovations of its predecessors. In conclusion, the modern guitar can be seen as the overall achievement of guitar design over hundreds of years.