Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first known cymbals emerged in the Armenian Highlands during the 7th century BC. These early instruments appeared in reliefs and paintings that depicted their use in religious and military contexts.
The word cymbal traces back to the Latin cymbalum, which derives from the Greek kumbalon. The instrument's origins stretch far deeper into antiquity with representations found in ancient Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon.
The transition of cymbals from the battlefield to the concert hall began in the 14th century when Turkish janissaries employed them in military settings. By the mid 18th century, they were standard fixtures in military bands and orchestras.
The physical construction of a cymbal dictates its voice, with every millimeter of thickness and curvature influencing the resulting pitch and sustain. The diameter, weight, and profile further shape the instrument's character and volume.
The modern drum kit cymbal is the result of a century-long evolution from the simple clash cymbals of the orchestra. The hi-hat evolved from the low-sock and the suspended cymbal, becoming a staple of jazz and rock drumming.
Ancient or tuned cymbals offer a definite note and function more like small hand-bells or a keyed harmonica. These instruments include the crotales and are tuned to specific pitches such as F and B flat.