On the 28th of June 1846 perhaps the most sexy sounding of musical instruments, the saxophone, was patented by Adolphe Sax.

Born in Belgium in 1814 Adolphe – Joseph Sax was making musical instruments from an early age. Both his parents were designers making improvements on existing instruments.

A skilled musician himself Adolphe Sax wished to create an instrument combining the best qualities of both woodwind and brass.

Despite winning a gold medal at the Paris Industrial Exposition in 1849 he was not good at financial management and suffered bankruptcy many times. He died at the age of 79 in poverty.

You can read more about his extraordinary life here:THE SURPRISINGLY BADASS LIFE OF THE INVENTOR OF THE SAXOPHONE, ADOLPHE SAX