If you get interested in early cymbal makers, Zildjian can trace it's origins back to the 1600s... that's hard to beat. But there are many from the turn of the century that are just as good but less well known like XE Ajaha. We're also in a bit of a "Golden Age" for young independent cymbal smiths. So there are fabulous, hand-made cymbals being made every day now. It's all about the bronze.