Boehm, Theobald (1794–1881)

German flautist and composer. He invented the Boehm system of improvements to the flute in 1832. Using metalworking skills, he applied a series of levers and keypads to the instrument which improved performance and enabled the pitch holes to be drilled at optimum acoustical positions instead of, as formerly, to suit the player's fingers. His system was later applied to other woodwind instruments.