Michael, My understanding is that the equal temperament has been around since the idea of temperaments arose (ca. 15th century?). It was always viewed as an interesting theory, but not very useful, with one notable exception. Guitars and lutes have always been tuned to an equal temperament, at least in the layout of the frets, if not in the tuning of the individual strings. Imagine trying to build a guitar in meantone. I always assumed that the equal temperament became popular because the tone of the piano permitted the fast beating thirds and because of the demands of the music being written. I was saddened to hear of the passing of Danny Boone, I had come to look forward to his postings on the internet. If I am remembered with as much .
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