Saxhorns are a family of instruments invented by the famous Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax. Invented in 1844 they represent Sax's desire to produce families of homogenous instruments. The instruments quickly became fashionable and were included in scores by composers such as Berlioz. So popular were the instruments, and so plentiful were the court cases surrounding patent infringement that a number of "spin off" instruments exist. Whilst exact names vary from country to country the family of instruments range from saxhorn "sur-aigu" in high B flat through to saxhorn contrabasse in B flat. Today saxhorns are to be found in modern brass bands.