George Beauchamp facts for kids

George Delmetia Beauchamp (born March 18, 1899 – died March 30, 1941) was an American inventor. He created many musical instruments. He is famous for designing the first electric guitar that was sold in stores. George Beauchamp also helped start two important companies: National Stringed Instrument Corporation and Rickenbacker guitars.

George Beauchamp's Life Story

The "Frying Pan" electric guitar, 1932

George Beauchamp was born in Coleman County, Texas, on March 18, 1899. Before settling in Los Angeles, California, he performed in vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts. George played the violin and the lap steel guitar in these shows.

In the 1920s, he started experimenting with electric musical instruments. He worked on electric lap steel guitars, electric guitars, electric bass guitars, and electric violins. He also worked on instrument amplifiers, which make instruments louder.

In 1931, George teamed up with Paul Barth and Adolph Rickenbacker. They created a company called Ro-Pat-In Corporation. Their goal was to make and sell electric string instruments.

One of their most famous creations was the Rickenbacher A-22 lap steel guitar. It was nicknamed "the frying pan" because of its shape. This guitar is known as the first electric guitar made for many people to buy. Production of this instrument began in 1932. In 1937, Beauchamp received a United States patent for his electric guitar design.

George Beauchamp married Myrtle Johnston in 1917. They had two children, Frances and Nolan. He passed away from a heart attack in 1941. This happened while he was deep sea fishing near Los Angeles.

George Beauchamp's Cool Inventions

George Beauchamp invented many things that changed music. He applied for patents to protect his ideas. A patent is a special right given to an inventor. It means only they can make, use, or sell their invention for a certain time.

Here are some of his inventions:

• 1929: He applied for a patent for the single-cone dobro guitar. This was patent #1,808,756.
• 1930: He applied for a patent for metal finger picks. These picks are now commonly used for steel guitars and banjos. This was patent #1,787,136.
• 1934: He applied for a patent for the electric lap steel guitar. This was the one nicknamed "the frying pan". This was patent #2,089,171.
• 1936: He applied for a patent for the electric guitar. This was called the electro Spanish guitar. It was a hollow-body electric guitar. This was patent #2152783.
• 1936: He applied for a patent for the electric violin. This was called the electro violin. This was patent #2130174.

Catalogues from the Electro String Instrument Corporation showed many electric instruments. In 1932, Beauchamp's Ro-Pat-In company started selling the electric lap steel guitar. The electric guitar was also likely sold that same year. However, early catalogues showing the instrument do not have dates.