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For all interested in the graphite fibre violin, here is a brief summary:

GRAPHITE FIBRE VIOLIN

First developed in the seventies, in Canada, by an aerospace engineer, Leonard John, the graphite fibre violin is now acknowledged to be the first major change in the history of violin making in over three hundred years.

In 1981, a United States Patent was applied for, and a substantial patent for the entire “violin family” was granted on October 11, 1983.

Of only eight violins built by the designer and builder, three were commissioned to be built by the Secretary of State, State Ceremonial, Canadian Govt., and were exhibited across Canada.

History of this development is covered in many articles, including an article and review in the prestigious UK magazine, “The Strad” (August 1984, and Soundpost, November 1999).
The violins have a superb tone and the high notes, particularly the e string has "------a sonority and freedom of response which can be described as excellent by virtually all standards" - this was quoted by the editor of The Strad, when he test played the violin in 1984, and published a review together with an article (written by L. John) on the graphite violins (The Strad, August 1984).

The graphite violin has received considerable media coverage over the years, both in Canada and abroad, including magazines, journals, newspapers, radio and television shows. There was even a presentation to NASA Engineers, in January 1994, at a dinner meeting in Ohio, U.S.

National Geographic Magazine photographed the Violin, however they have not published any article, yet.

The first television show featuring the violin was an interview with Elwy Yost, on the TVOntario series, “Saturday Night at the Movies”. The show aired on March 9, 1985, and the theme was “The Inventors”.

In September 1985, at the invitation of the French Ministry of Culture, the violin was played at the opening of “Planete Composite”, an International conference and public exhibition in Bordeaux, France. Media coverage included newspapers and national television. The violin was the principal exhibit in the music section.

In March 1988, the original graphite fibre violin was loaned to the Ontario Science Centre, in Toronto, where it has been on continuous display, in the Hall of Technology. The ceremony when the violin was loaned to the Science Centre marked the opening of “Engineering week” (1988) in Toronto. At this ceremony the violin was played by a concert violinist, and the event received extensive media coverage, both nationally and internationally (CNN news).

In June 1988, the CBC radio broadcast “Arts National” featured the graphite fibre violin together with Leonard John and Mr. Moshe Hammer, an internationally renowned violinist, Mr. Hammer compared the graphite fibre violin to his original Guarnerius violin.

Of notable interest is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) television show “Wonderstruck”, that featured the violin development – the program was aired on November 17, 1988. This show is syndicated worldwide.

In 1999, the prototype violin was deeded to Canada as a Cultural gift, and has been officially designated as being of “outstanding significance and historical importance”. Such designation is only given for developments of immense historical and scientific achievement, and only after exhaustive background research. This instrument is now deemed of such significance, that it cannot be exported out of Canada. The violin deeded to Canada has been on display at the Ontario Science Center in Toronto since March 1988.

2003 – 2004 – The violin development was featured in a dedicated program, “Summit of Life”, filmed in 2003 and shown on several television networks during 2004. The show features the noted violinist, Zhang Zhang, who is a member of the famed Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte Carlo, Monaco.

In June 2004, number 005 violin was donated to the US National Music Museum (NMM), Vermillion, South Dakota. The violin was donated by Baron Joel Ferren of Ohio, and was accepted by Dr. Andre Larson, Director of the museum. The handover event at the NMM was extensively covered by the news media, both television and newspapers. Karen Barker, who is a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, played the violin. Leonard John also gave a lecture on the design and history of the graphite fibre violin.

The graphite violin has a beautiful look and feel to it. All who come into
contact have loved the natural appearance. There is no varnish or finish,
so nothing will ever deteriorate with age. The acoustic box of the violin
is graphite, and is insensitive to normal temperature and humidity changes.