piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700 
Wow, so the piano has been around for hundreds of years.
Yes,   It is played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys 
There have been some famous piano players from Mozart to Elton John nowadays.
The word "piano" is a shortened form of "pianoforte"
Sounds like a lot of piano related devices were Italian.
Yes,  The Italian musical terms "piano" and "forte" indicate "soft" and "loud" respectively, in this context referring to the variations in volume (i.e., loudness) 
I used to play piano as a child, and I always was fascinated with the Italian terms.
the stronger the attack. The name was created as a contrast to harpsichord, a musical instrument that does not allow variation in volume. The first fortepianos in the 1700s had a quieter sound and smaller dynamic range.
An acoustic piano usually has a protective wooden case surrounding the soundboard and metal strings, which are strung under great tension on a heavy metal frame. Pressing one or more keys on the piano's keyboard causes a padded hammer (typically padded with firm felt) to strike the strings. The hammer rebounds from
Piano
The piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700 (the exact year is uncertain), in which the strings are struck by hammers. It is played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys (small levers) that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands to cause the hammers to strike the strings. 
The word piano is a shortened form of "pianoforte", the Italian term for the early 1700s versions