The Complete Guitar Pick Innovation Timeline (1862–2026)
Short Summary
From feather quills and tortoiseshell to modern Thermoset and high-performance engineering plastics, guitar picks have evolved for more than 160 years.
This timeline follows the biggest innovations that shaped today’s plectrum—from the invention of celluloid and the famous 351 shape to Nylon, Tortex, Ultem and modern boutique picks including Thermoset.
Whether you’re curious about vintage picks, pick materials or how today’s thick and beveled picks developed, this guide brings together the most important milestones in one place.
Related reading:
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- How guitar pick thickness affects tone
- How to hold a guitar pick
- Small guitar picks
- Bass guitar picks
- Best guitar picks for electric
- Best guitar picks for Stratocaster players
- Best guitar picks for Telecaster players
- Best Guitar Picks for Ibanez players
- Best guitar picks for Les Paul guitar
Before Plastic: The Early Plectrums (Before 1860)
Long before plastic existed, musicians played with:
- bird feathers
- bone
- wood
- ivory
- tortoiseshell
- metal
Tortoiseshell eventually became the premium material because players loved its smooth feel and warm tone. Unfortunately, harvesting real tortoiseshell contributed to severe declines in sea turtle populations, eventually leading to international trade restrictions.
Why it mattered
This period established an idea that still influences guitar picks today: material changes the playing experience.
1862 — The Birth of Modern Plastic
Alexander Parkes introduced Parkesine, the first commercially produced plastic.
Although it wasn’t yet used for guitar picks, it proved that synthetic materials could replace expensive natural ones.
Innovation
- First artificial made plastic
- Foundation for future pick materials
1870 — Celluloid Changes Everything
John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid, making plastic far cheaper and easier to manufacture.
Celluloid soon replaced ivory, horn and tortoiseshell in many everyday products—including guitar picks.
Why this changed music
For the first time, picks could be mass-produced with consistent shapes and thicknesses.
1922 — The First Commercial Guitar Pick
This is arguably the biggest moment in guitar pick history.
Luigi D’Andrea introduced the first commercially successful celluloid guitar pick.
His company developed the famous 351 shape, which eventually became the world’s most recognizable guitar pick.
Even today, countless manufacturers still use the 351 outline as their standard shape.
Innovations
- Commercial plastic picks
- Standardized manufacturing
- Foundation of today’s pick industry
The Famous 351 Shape
The 351 shape became popular because it balanced:
- grip
- control
- comfort
- durability
It remains one of the most copied pick shapes ever made.
Popular Guitar Pick shapes
Guitar picks may look simple, but their shapes have evolved considerably over more than a century. From the classic 351 Standard to small Jazz-style picks, teardrops, and triangles, each shape offers a different balance of grip, control, tip access, and playing feel.
The Standard 351
This is the most recognizable guitar pick shape. Developed by D’Andrea in the 1920s, its rounded triangular body provides a comfortable grip and a versatile playing tip. It became the industry standard and remains one of the most widely used pick shapes today.
Jazz-style picks 651
Smaller and generally feature a more pronounced point. Their compact size allows the player to hold the pick closer to the tip, making them popular for precise single-note playing, alternate picking, fast lead lines, and detailed articulation. Despite their name, they are widely used in rock, blues, metal, and other styles as well.
Teardrop picks 358
Have a narrower body and a defined playing tip. Smaller teardrop variations emphasize precision, while larger versions provide a compromise between control and a comfortable grip. D’Andrea historically produced several numbered variations, including the 354 and 358.
Triangle picks 346, 355 & 385
Provide three usable corners instead of one. This gives players the option of rotating the pick as an edge wears, while the larger body can offer additional grip and stability. Rounded triangles such as the 346 are especially comfortable for strumming, while more pointed triangles can provide greater articulation.
Pointed or “sharp” shapes
Place greater emphasis on the tip. A sharper point can provide a more immediate, precise attack and is therefore particularly attractive to players who rely on accurate single-note picking and fast techniques.
Ultimately, pick shape is about more than appearance. It determines how much of the pick sits between the fingers, how easily the tip reaches the string, and how the pick moves through the strings. Combined with thickness, material, edge bevel, and tip geometry, shape is an important part of a player’s overall picking experience.
1930s–1950s — Printing Comes to Picks
Manufacturers began printing logos on picks.
This transformed guitar picks into:
- promotional items
- concert merchandise
- collectible memorabilia
Today, vintage printed picks have become valuable collector’s items.
1960s — Nylon Revolution
The next major breakthrough came with nylon picks.
Companies like Herco introduced flexible nylon picks that became favorites among rock guitarists.
Soon afterwards, Jim Dunlop expanded nylon pick production and helped popularize the material worldwide.
Why players liked nylon
- softer attack
- excellent grip
- flexible feel
Many famous guitarists still use nylon today.
1973 — Goodbye Tortoiseshell
The CITES treaty restricted international trade in genuine tortoiseshell.
This forced manufacturers to develop better synthetic alternatives.
Ironically, this accelerated innovation in guitar pick materials.
1981 — Tortex Arrives
Jim Dunlop introduced Tortex, inspired by the feel of tortoiseshell.
Tortex quickly became one of the most successful pick materials ever created.
Why it became popular
- matte grip
- consistent wear
- bright attack
For many players, Tortex defined modern rock guitar.
The Rise of Specialty Shapes (1980s–1990s)
Manufacturers began experimenting with new designs.
Popular innovations included:
- Jazz-style picks
- triangular picks
- sharper tips
- textured grips
- beveled edges
Instead of one universal pick, players could now choose a design tailored to their technique.
Engineering Plastics Enter the Scene (1990s–2000s)
As materials science advanced, manufacturers introduced engineering plastics like:
- Ultem (PEI)
- Delrin
- Polycarbonate
- Vespel
These materials focused on:
- durability
- stiffness
- precision
They became especially popular among technical players.
The evolution of pick shapes reflects the evolution of guitar playing itself.
In aPremier Guitar article it was found that in the early days of mass-produced guitar picks, manufacturers experimented with dozens of shapes and sizes to accommodate different players and techniques.
D’Andrea alone developed more than 50 celluloid shapes during the early development of the modern guitar pick. Over time, a handful of designs became dominant — particularly the 351 Standard, smaller teardrops, Jazz-style picks, and triangular designs.
Boutique Picks Change Expectations (2000s)
A new generation of boutique manufacturers began focusing on premium materials, precision bevels and handcrafted finishes.
Players started paying far more attention to:
- edge geometry
- thickness
- grip
- wear resistance
The guitar pick became a serious performance tool rather than an inexpensive accessory.
Thick Picks Become Mainstream (2010s)
During the 2010s, many players rediscovered thicker picks.
Rather than simply increasing thickness, manufacturers refined:
- bevel angles
- edge polishing
- grip designs
- precision tips
This period helped establish thick picks as a legitimate choice for players seeking greater control and a different playing feel.
Modern Materials
Today, innovative pick makers continue to refine these classic geometries, combining traditional shapes with new materials, thicknesses, bevels, grip technologies, and precision-engineered tips.
The modern guitar pick is therefore not simply a piece of plastic — it is a carefully engineered interface between the player’s hand and the string.
Today’s guitarists can choose from an incredible range of materials.
Common options include:
| Material | Character |
|---|---|
| Celluloid | Classic vintage feel |
| Nylon | Flexible |
| Delrin | Smooth |
| Tortex | Matte grip |
| Ultem | Bright attack |
| Acrylic | Hard feel |
| Thermoset | Extremely rigid |
| Vespel | Premium engineered flexible material |
The biggest difference today is that players choose picks based on technique—not just thickness.
The Evolution of Pick Shapes
Over the decades, several shapes became standards.
| Shape | Best known for |
|---|---|
| 351 | All-around playing |
| Jazz | Precision |
| Triangle | Multiple tips |
| Teardrop | Accuracy |
| Sharp | Fast picking |
Each design represents a different solution to the same question:
How can a pick give the player more control?
Materials Timeline
| Year | Material |
|---|---|
| Before 1860 | Feather, bone, tortoiseshell |
| 1862 | Parkesine |
| 1870 | Celluloid |
| 1960s | Nylon |
| 1981 | Tortex |
| 1990s | Delrin |
| 1990s | Ultem |
| 2000s | Vespel & Thermoset*** |
| Today | Advanced engineering plastics |
***Actually I started making my own Thermoset picks around 1985/86 when I was 17 years old. ChickenPicks guitar picks as a company started in 2010.
Timeline at a Glance
1862
Alexander Parkes introduces Parkesine.
1870
Celluloid makes mass-produced plastic picks possible.
1922
Luigi D’Andrea creates the first commercial plastic guitar pick.
1960s
Nylon becomes a favorite among rock players.
1973
Tortoiseshell trade restrictions accelerate synthetic innovation.
1981
Tortex becomes one of the world’s most popular pick materials.
1985-86
Eppo Franken started making his own picks for himself.
1990s
Engineering plastics expand pick design possibilities.
2010s and on
Thick, precision-beveled picks gain widespread popularity and Thermoset were introduced to the public.
Players can choose from advanced engineering plastics, premium boutique picks.
Why This Timeline Matters
The history of guitar picks isn’t simply a story about new materials. It’s a story about musicians constantly searching for better control, better tone and greater comfort.
Every major innovation—from celluloid to nylon, from Tortex to modern engineering plastics like Thermoset—solved a different problem for players.
Today’s guitarists benefit from more choice than ever before, making the humble guitar pick one of the most specialized pieces of equipment in a musician’s toolkit.
Designed by guitarist Eppo Franken
Playing guitar since 1979.
Developing guitar picks since 1985.
Founder of ChickenPicks guitar picks since 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first commercially successful plastic guitar pick was introduced by Luigi D’Andrea in 1922, using celluloid.
The 351 shape offers a balanced combination of comfort, grip and versatility, making it suitable for nearly every playing style.
Materials like celluloid, nylon, Tortex, Delrin and other engineering plastics replaced genuine tortoiseshell after international trade restrictions protected endangered sea turtles.
Thicker picks flex less, giving many players greater control, a more direct attack and a different playing feel compared to thinner picks.
Premium boutique picks became much more popular during the 2000s, when players started paying closer attention to materials, bevels and precision manufacturing.
