Music is often considered one of the oldest forms of human expression. While it may not be a "language" in the traditional sense, like spoken or written words, it certainly has served as a universal means of communication for millennia. The ability to produce vocalizations and communicate through sound can be found in many species much older than humans, such as songbirds. Music's rhythmic and melodic patterns have the ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, making it a powerful and timeless form of communication. 

The guitar has a rich and varied history that dates back thousands of years. The origins of the guitar can be traced to ancient civilizations where early predecessors of the modern guitar included stringed instruments like the lute, liars and harp.

The SVG timeline highlights key milestones in guitar development:

It's believed that the word guitar actually came about at around 1500BCE from the ancient Greek word "kithara", which was a type of lyre, an instrument popular in Greek antiquity. Over time, the word evolved as it passed through various languages and cultures.

In Latin, it became "cithara" and from there, it transitioned into Arabic as "qitara". The term eventually made its way into the Spanish language as "guitarra" which is very close to the modern English word "guitar."

During the Renaissance period, the vihuela and the Baroque guitar emerged in Spain and Italy, respectively. These instruments had six courses of strings (pairs of strings tuned to the same note) and were played similarly to the modern guitar. The Baroque guitar, in particular, gained popularity and influenced the development of the modern classical guitar. By the 18th century, the design of the guitar began to evolve further, with luthiers experimenting with different shapes, sizes, and string configurations.

19th century saw significant advancements in guitar construction, with the development of the modern classical guitar by Spanish luthier Antonio Torres Jurado. Torres' innovations, such as the fan-bracing pattern for the top soundboard, greatly improved the guitar's volume and tonal qualities. This period also marked the rise of the steel-string acoustic guitar in the United States, which became popular in folk and country music.

In the 20th century, during the Industrial revolution, the electric guitar was born. Innovators like Adolph Rickenbacker and Les Paul developed early electric guitar models, leading to the iconic instruments produced by companies like Fender and Gibson. The electric guitar became a staple in genres such as rock, blues, and jazz, influencing countless musicians and shaping the sound of modern music.

Today, the guitar remains one of the most popular and versatile instruments in the world, with a wide range of styles and genres showcasing its unique sound. From classical and flamenco to rock and pop, the guitar continues to inspire and captivate musicians and audiences alike. It's estimated that over 700 million people worldwide have played the guitar at some point in their lives. This means roughly 10% of the world's population has picked up a guitar and strummed a few chords!