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Formed in 1909 as Ludwig & Ludwig by brothers William F and Theo Ludwig, Ludwig has introduced innovations in drum construction throughout its history. The Black Beauty snare drum, a hand-engraved black nickel-plated brass shell drum first manufactured by Ludwig during the 1920s, is highly prized by collectors and players alike. The Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum is considered to be an industry standard for professional snares. Originally made of chrome-plated brass, it was later made of a chrome-plated aluminum alloy. Such notable drummers as Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Ian Paice, Ginger Baker, and Steve Gadd, used this drum exclusively throughout the 1960s and 1970's. Wood shell snare drums featured precision finishes supplied by Steinway and Sons. Although they have mostly been famous for their metal drums, especially their metal snare drums, most of the drums manufactured by Ludwig have had a plastic "pearl" wrap glued on top of wooden drums. The most sought after original Ludwig finish is the 1960s Oyster Black Pearl, made famous by Ringo Starr. Perhaps the most interesting use of materials appeared in Ludwig's Vistalite drum kits. Vistalite was the trade name used by Ludwig for its line of transparent colored acrylic drums in the 1970s.