The Kay Musical Instrument Company, established in Chicago in 1931 by Henry "Kay" Kuhrmeyer, evolved from the earlier Stromberg-Voisinet firm and became a notable American manufacturer. They produced a wide array of stringed instruments, including guitars, mandolins, banjos, and cellos, and were recognized for their innovative use of lamination in arched-top instruments. Notably, Kay was a pioneer in electric guitars, with its predecessor Stromberg-Voisinet potentially announcing the first commercial electric guitar, the "Stromberg Electro," as early as 1928.
After decades of independent operation and manufacturing for various house brands, Kay experienced decline, being sold to Seeburg Corporation in 1965, then to Valco in 1967, before dissolving in 1968, largely due to increasing competition from Japanese imports. Since 1969, the "Kay" brand name has been acquired by several companies, primarily used for Asian import guitars, thus continuing its legacy in the musical instrument market.