Although there are scores of prominent names of renowned makers scattered throughout the history and evolution of the bow, there are two, in particular, whose impact on bow design and artistic achievement continue to influence makers to this day. François Xavier Tourte (b.1747 - d.1853) The "Stradivari" of the art of bow making, François Xavier Tourte was originally a watchmaker, only joining his father and brother in making bows in the early 1700's after spending eight years at this trade. Although at first he used staves of old sugar barrels for his bows, which sold for a pittance, Tourte rapidly rose to prominence. At the height of his career, a single Tourte bow commanded princely sums. Like Stradivari, Tourte experimented with design and wood, seeking to perfect his work, and is said to have destroyed that work which failed to meet his standards. During this period, Tourte settled on pernambuco as the ideal wood for bow making, and afterwards, worked ceaselessly to improve the design, ultimately giving the bow its final form, which we know today as the modern bow. Dominique Pecatte (b.1810 - d.1874) The most prominent member of an illustrious family of bow makers, Dominique Pecatte was an apprentice of J.B. Vuillaume from 1826 to 1837, whom he may have worked with, after which he took over the shop of François Lupot. Returning to Mirecourt in 1847, he remained there until his death. Known for the great beauty and elegance of his bows, Dominique Pecatte had a great influence on many of his contemporaries, such as Nicolas Maire, Guillaume Maline, and Joseph Henry, as well as many of today's bow makers.