Why are flutes called recorders? [closed]

It seems that a certain type of flute (like the wooden one children are often given in school) is called "recorder". How did that happen?

Solution 1:

As it's stated at etymonline.com:

recorder (n.) — "chief legal officer of a city," early 15c., from Anglo-French recordour (early 14c.), Old French recordeor, from Medieval Latin recordator, from Latin recordari "remember" (see record (v.)). The musical instrument is attested by this name from early 15c., from record (v.) in the obsolete sense of "practice a tune." The name, and the thing, were rarely heard by mid-1800s, ousted by the flute, but enjoyed a revival after 1911 as an easy-to-play instrument for musical beginners.