Polsfuss, Lester William (Les Paul)

An American jazz and country guitarist and inventor. He is credited with having invented the 8-track tape recorder together with the techniques of 'over dubbing' and 'multi-tracking'. His designs were taken up by the Gibson guitar comapny and the Gibson 'Les Paul' is recognised as one of the great guitar designs. It has since become a firm favorite of rock band musicians, and originals are highly prized possessions.

1915 - Born on June 9th in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

1930 - He worked as a country and jazz musician, performing with his own Les Paul Trio.

1940 - Performed with singers such as Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.

1941 - He designed a solid-body electric guitar. The first "electric guitar" he made was a 4" x 4" chunk of pine with strings and a microphone pick-up attached. He called it "The Log".

1949 - Built the first eight-track tape recorder, used in making many hit records with his wife, Mary Ford.

1950 - Pioneered the development of multitrack recording and is credited with having invented the first eight-track tape recorder and the technique of overdubbing.

1952 - The Les Paul Standard, was ready for production by the Gibson Guitar Company

1953 - 1960 - Hosted a successful TV show, The 'Les Paul and Mary Ford at Home' Show.

1988 - He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2001 - Was given a Grammy for technical achievements.