A Very Short History of the Electric Guitar

Who Invented the Electric Guitar?
When most people think of the electric guitar, they picture brands like Fender or Gibson. But the real origin story goes back even further — to the early 1930s.

The first commercially successful electric guitar was invented by George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker. The instrument? A strange-looking lap steel guitar nicknamed the “Frying Pan” because of its circular body and long neck. But don't let the funny name fool you — this was a game changer.

The guitar used a magnetic pickup to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal, which could then be amplified. This simple innovation solved a huge problem: guitarists could finally be heard in big bands and on louder stages.

Beauchamp was a musician, not just an inventor. He needed a louder guitar — and he got one. And with Rickenbacker’s help, the Frying Pan became the first widely used electric guitar.

Why It Matters Today
The Frying Pan paved the way for all the electric guitars we know and love today — from the Stratocaster to the Les Paul. If you’re playing or shopping for an electric guitar now, you're holding a piece of that legacy in your hands.

At Morris Guitar Company, we specialize in affordable, used and refurbished electric guitars that carry this legacy forward — without breaking your budget.