Quite probably right, Guest. The origin of the pianoforte or piano and its various stages of evolution is pretty much lost in the mists of antiquity. Like the guitar and guitar-like instruments.

The whole shebang probably started with some prehistoric bow-hunter who notice the pleasant sound his bow-string made and put the end of the bow on a turtle shell to make it sound louder.

After a bit of evolution:   CLICKY.

Don Firth