The modern ocarina was invented in the 19th Century by the Italian Giuseppe Donati. Clay bird calls which could play a few random notes had been in existence for a long time in both the Americas and elsewhere, but he refined them into a musical instrument that could play a complete musical scale.
They were quickly sold around the world, and by the Turn of the Century they were a popular amateur musical instrument in the United States, where they were popularly known as sweet potatoes, owing to their shape.
"I think they are called sweet potatoes, cause you gotta dig 'em!"
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