Robert Fleming didn't invent the GUITAR but, he invented THE guitar namely his KIND of guitar. The facts is such, he didn't have backers or investors because he was a BLACK MAN. Not one black man in the 1800 as and inventor have ever received a fair Loan or investment for his concepts. In fact when the white man wanted something back then ..he took it.   The next thing that one must note, the BANJO an African invention was very popular for minstrel’s shows in those times.   The sad fact of the matter was Fleming awesome concept was in competitions with his native invention of the Banjo. Of course there were no percentage or trust funds set up for Black inventors back then as black men were consider by our judicial systems as animal. So there wasn’t any TRUST-FUNDS set up to help Black inventors. Fleming also had competitions with Christian Martin Guitars.. and again more than likely white men had the money to support the business of there choice and 99 percent of the times it was there on Race. I am not a bias person but, here are some strong facts on Mr. Fleming inventions and life.