Broadwood, John (1732-1812), was a British piano maker. In 1783, he patented his own piano action. Broadwood's designs for the piano revolutionized the instrument, allowing it to be played louder and with more flexibility in its sound. Many great composers, including Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, and Frederic Chopin, used Broadwood pianos. His pianos allowed them to explore fully the possibilities of the piano as a solo instrument.