Orville H. Gibson (1856-1918): The Architect of American Sound Orville H. Gibson (may 1856 – august 19, 1918) was an american luthier who founded the gibson guitar company in kalamazoo, michigan in 1902, makers of guitars, mandolins and other instruments. His earliest known instrument was a 10-string mandolin-guitar, which bears the date 1894. Gibson's mandolins were 'unlike any previous flatback instrument,' according to music histor…