George Beauchamp

George D. Beauchamp (1899 - 1941) was an inventor of musical instruments and co-founder of National Stringed Instrument Corporation and Rickenbacker.

Born in Texas, he played the violin and the lap steel guitar in Vaudeville before going into the business of then manufacturing of electric lap steel guitars, electric guitars, electric bass guitars, electric violins and combo instrument amplifiers. He is well known for his creation of the Frying pan electric guitar. He died in Los Angeles, California while deep-sea fishing.

Other websites

 * The Earliest Days of the Electric Guitar
 * Which Came First- Electric Guitar or Amp?
 * Digital Violin - Article examining Beauchamp's Electro violins