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The first Sackbutts, an earlier evolution of the modern trombone, emerged in Europe. These had smaller bells and were more like a modified baroque slide trumpet. source
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A trumpet with a slide that appeared in the Renaissance, the Flatt trumpet paved the road for the Sackbutt and, eventually, the modern trombone.
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Although trombones had many advantages over other brasswind instruments of the time, such as a full chromatic playability, they had been found unfavorable. Beethoven was one of the first to add the trombones to a symphony, helping to popularize them.
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Trombones with serpent-like heads as bells appeared in early 19th century France.
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Due to a desire for more volume and depth in the trombone's playing, makers started adding a wider bell to trombones, which let the sound spread and become much louder than the sackbut.
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Trombones were used in 'New Orleans jazz' and swing music to add a versatile lower register. Bass or ContraBass trombones replaced tubas in many circumstances, and tenor trombones helped push the higher register. Valved trombones were also used to play passages too fast or complex for a slide.
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With the development of rotary and piston valves, and an increase in quality and complexity of manufacturing, valved trombones became a significant type of trombone that worked well.
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