Historical keyboard instruments are musical devices that produce sound by striking, plucking, or pressing strings. Notable examples include the harpsichord, which uses plucked strings, and the fortepiano, an early version of the modern piano that strikes strings with hammers. These instruments were popular from the Renaissance through the Classical period, each contributing to the evolution of Western music. The organ is another significant historical keyboard instrument, often found in churches and cathedrals, producing sound through pipes. The development of these instruments influenced composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who wrote extensively for them, shaping the future of keyboard music.