The modern vibraphone was invented in 1926. It's essentially a percussion instrument similar to the xylophone or marimba but having metal bars, a sustain pedal and, most importantly, electric vibrato created by motor driven rotating discs within the resonators.

Prior to its introduction, mallet instruments such as xylophone were relegated to a vaudeville or novelty status. The vibraphone, with its round sustained tone and slower vibrato became a dominant voice in modern jazz. It became prominent with musicians such as Red Norvo and Lionel Hampton (our spiritual grandaddy). In the 1940s and 1950s new voices came to the vibes. Most notably Milt Jackson,Terry Gibbs, Cal Tjader and Tito Puente.

Of these, the most important were Jackson-who with the M.J.Q. brought a be-bop style and sensibility to classically based forms-and Tjader-who, after a stint with George Shearing, brought the instrument to dominance in the latin jazz market.

In the 1960s there came a whole new breed of vibists:

Gary Burton, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers and Me.

Musicians old enough to have played with the bop generation but young enough to be involved in electronic music, rock, r&b, bossa, samba and the Motown revolution.

I bought this instrument in 1970 and still use it today.

More detailed information on the vibraphone and related instruments can be found on the home site of Ludwig Drum Co. who now own Musser (the Ferrari of mallet instruments) and from where I got these photos.