Gibson was founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1902, and was named for Orville Gibson (1856-1918), a master luthier with the company. His innovative mandolin and steel-strung guitar designs dominated Gibson’s early catalogs. Gibson left in 1911, due to ill health.

In 1919, Gibson recruited Lloyd Allayre Loar (1886-1943). His designs, including the 1922 F-5 archtop mandolin (with f-holes), and the 1922 L-5 “Master Model” guitar were extremely imprtant to both Gibson and guitar design itself.

The latter is recognized as the basis for almost all subsequent archtop acoustic designs. It had f-holes, a carved top and back, and a handsomely finished 16-inch wide body. The black pickguard is finely bound in contrasting white edging and supported by an adjustable strut.