Mario Maccaferri

Mario Maccaferri (1900–1993) was an Italian luthier, classical guitarist, businessman, and inventor.

As of 2016 his daughter Elaine still runs the family company French American Reeds Inc.[2] Maccaferri was born in Cento, Emilia-Romagna.

[3] In 1933, Maccaferri injured his right hand in a swimming pool accident, ending his career as a concert performer, though he continued to work as a luthier and inventor.

Maccferri's innovations extended to materials as well: he was an early adopter of laminate backs and sides for guitars, and for instruments made entirely of plastic.

[7][8] Later in his career and up until his death, Maccaferri worked on the design for a plastic violin, which in 1990 was used at a performance at Carnegie Hall.