The mandolin, a small, vibrant member of the lute family, traces its origins back to 18th-century Italy, evolving from earlier instruments like the mandola and even more ancient lutes such as the Arabic oud. The mandolin gained widespread popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where Italian immigrants fuelled a mandolin craze and inspired the formation of numerous mandolin orchestras. While its bowl-backed Neapolitan form was initially dominant, American luthiers like Orville Gibson pioneered the flat-backed, archtop designs that became synonymous with American folk, bluegrass, and country music Image: Evolution of Music (Source: Superthriller.com)