The exact origin of the first guitar is unknown.  Historical evidence found in poems, artwork, and written recollections point to no one place more than others.  However, early sources indicate
the guitar first gained recognition in the Mediterranean area including Northern Africa, Arabia, and Southern Europe, most notably in Spain.  During the Renaissance the early guitar ("Chitarrino" or Chitarra")
was emphasized in Spain, Italy, and France and was later carried to Asia on the Portuguese spice routes in the form of the "Vihuela," as evidenced by Japanese and Indian paintings of the same era. 

After Magellan's circumnavigation of the world opened the door for the spread of Western culture, the guitar rooted itself firmly in cultures on all continents.  Spanish flamenco guitar diversified over time,
breeding such genres as Latin, folk, reggae, baroque, classical, and blues.  The blues movement that occurred in the Mississippi Delta in the 1940 formed the foundation of what would later become
rock and roll.  Members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin,  arguably the most popular band of all time, left England to study this American blues movement
and ultimately revolutionized the guitar through the innovation, both consistency and random aspects, and technical ability of their music, thus kicking off the rock and roll movement in America. 

With such talents as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Hendrix championing the rock and roll movement, it is not hard to comprehend the boom in popularity, interest,
and adoration garnered by these early rockers. With the demand of large crowds for a louder instrument came the electric guitar.  The first experiments in electrically amplifying acoustic guitars came
as early as 1910-1920.  By the 1930's Rickenbacker Co. had begun production of the first commercially available electric guitars.  In short order competition and technological advancements led to the leading
brands such as Gibson, Fender, and Epiphone that we know today. 

Since its inception over 600 years ago, the guitar has maintained its original purpose of providing a simple-to-learn method of self-expression through music.  The guitar has united cultures and crossed
immense gaps, both socio-ideological and physical.  It stands as the icon of generations for its versatility and variability; its ability to sing thought-provoking, heart-wrenching melodies one moment and blast
fist-pumping, head banging, riotous overtones of creation, destruction, and rebellion the next.  With so few musical instruments able to claim heritage to such a significant history, the guitar has
firmly cemented its position as the most appreciated instrument in human history.