Jean Marius (died 6 April 1720) was a French inventor and keyboard instrument builder.
Not much is known about Marius' life. He had a degree in law, was skilled in mathematics, and was an adjunct mechanic in the French Academy of Sciences. [1] His name first appeared in 1699, on a certificate of approbation for his folding harpsichord. [2] His store was located on the rue des Fossés Saint-Germain. [3]
Marius invented the folding umbrella's mechanism, which is similar to the one used in the modern era. It can be carried in a pocket and weights five to six ounces. Impressed by his invention, King Louis XIV granted Marius a royal privilege for his folding umbrellas in 1710; nobody was allowed to manufacture a similar product for five years. Two of his folding umbrellas survive. [3]
Marius is credited folding harpsichords, though Giovanni Pietro Pinaroli cites Giuseppe Mondini as having invented a folding harpsichord before him. [4] The composers Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, François Couperin, Nicolas Lebègue and Jean-Baptiste Buterne signed a letter of approbation for Marius' folding harpsichord in 1699. [2] The academy gave its approbation on 24 January 1700. [2] He obtained a 20-year patent for the instrument on 18 September 1700. [5] Marius had to contend with the Parisian guild of instrument builders' accusation that his invention was not original. [6]
In 1716, Marius submitted a design for a clavecin à maillet.
Jean Marius (died 6 April 1720) was a French inventor and keyboard instrument builder.
Not much is known about Marius' life. He had a degree in law, was skilled in mathematics, and was an adjunct mechanic in the French Academy of Sciences. [1] His name first appeared in 1699, on a certificate of approbation for his folding harpsichord. [2] His store was located on the rue des Fossés Saint-Germain. [3]
Marius invented the folding umbrella's mechanism, which is similar to the one used in the modern era. It can be carried in a pocket and weights five to six ounces. Impressed by his invention, King Louis XIV granted Marius a royal privilege for his folding umbrellas in 1710; nobody was allowed to manufacture a similar product for five years. Two of his folding umbrellas survive. [3]
Marius is credited folding harpsichords, though Giovanni Pietro Pinaroli cites Giuseppe Mondini as having invented a folding harpsichord before him. [4] The composers Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, François Couperin, Nicolas Lebègue and Jean-Baptiste Buterne signed a letter of approbation for Marius' folding harpsichord in 1699. [2] The academy gave its approbation on 24 January 1700. [2] He obtained a 20-year patent for the instrument on 18 September 1700. [5] Marius had to contend with the Parisian guild of instrument builders' accusation that his invention was not original. [6]
In 1716, Marius submitted a design for a clavecin à maillet.