The history of the organ is closely linked to the paths and sometimes the missteps of European culture. When and where did the organ actually emerge in its current form? What contributions did the Arabs make to the development of this seemingly "Christian" instrument? How did it become involved in the religious iconoclasm? Who brought it into concert halls? How has the digital revolution affected the organ? Karl-Heinz Göttert describes all of this in four chapters: from the prehistory in ancient engineering to the technical aspects of organ building, and to the individuals involved, the organ builders and organists. Specific questions are also addressed, including why "Italian" organs looked different from "North German" ones in the early modern period, the roles played by confessions, trade barriers, and industrialization, and how organ builders dealt with privileges.