I used to think Les Paul invented the electric guitar, but then I heard a story on NPR, which I think is this one here. Electric guitar-wise, Les Paul was more of an innovator than an inventor – and he certainly invented and innovated all kinds of stuff. As I recall, he didn’t want to amplify a hollow body guitar, but wanted to make a solid body one (and made one by putting strings and pickups on a 2×4 – affectionately known as “the log”). Apparently he nearly electrocuted himself while experimenting. Eventually he perfected it, and, displaying great prescience, the folks at Gibson said, “nah, that’ll never catch on.”

So a fellow by the name of Leo Fender beat him to market with the first solid body electric guitar, thus sparking a great debate which continues to this day:

What’s better, a Gibson Les Paul, or a Fender Stratocaster?

I report, you decide.