The Hohner Clavinet is an electromechanical keyboard that became the signature sound of 1970s Funk. Invented by Ernst Zacharias, it was originally designed to play European classical music (like a portable harpsichord). Its mechanism involves small rubber tips (hammers) that press strings against a metal bar when a key is hit. Because it uses actual strings and pickups, it can be plugged into a guitar amplifier and distorted. Stevie Wonder popularized the instrument on his 1972 hit 'Superstition,' using its percussive, 'staccato' qualities to create a rhythmic, driving groove. The Clavinet allows for 'wah-wah' effects and string bending, making it more expressive than a standard piano. While it fell out of use in the 1980s due to the rise of digital synthesizers, it remains a holy grail instrument for keyboardists seeking authentic retro funk and disco tones.