A: The saxophone, invented by Belgian-born instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1841, became the most famous exhibit at the Paris World Expo in 1855. Sax applied for, and received, a 15-year patent for his invention earlier in 1846.

Sax's invention brought him worldwide fame but little in the way of material benefit, as rival instrument makers attacked the legitimacy of his patents in France and Belgium. They subsequently litigated against him, a move that forced him to file for bankruptcy twice: once in 1856, then again in 1873. Following this, he eked out a living on government pensions.