Leo Fender (August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991) was born in a barn in Fullerton. The city he was to live his whole life in. After graduating from college he started Fender Radio Shop in Fullerton in 1938. This was the beginning and ground zero of his journey into music instruments of what was to become a revolutionary journey Before the Telecaster was created, during WWII, he developed lap Steel guitars and amplifiers with Doc Kauffman Orr. Together they started a company called K&F Manufacturing Co making Lapsteel & Amplifier combos. The company did not last long and in 1946, Kauffman pulled out and Leo renamed the company "Fender Manufacturing", and later renamed it to "Fender Electric Instrument Co." in 1947.

The rise of the solid-body electric guitar was not solely Fenders doing. Other individuals would start inventing their own solid body guitars, like Les Paul who were building his "Log" at Epiphone. Leo eventually started working on what would to become the Fender Esquire, the precursor of the Telecaster. In 1948 he had a prototype ready.

He launched the Esquire in 1950, that was to further evolve to the 2-pickup Broadcaster, then Telecaster after a trademark dispute with Gretch.

Fender Fullerton factory would go trough 2 sites to begin with. First in Santa Fe Avenue, second he built a new larger building in Pomona Ave that would expand his operations. and finally, the last location at 500 South Raymond Avenue where Fender would kick off a full scale distribution and, invent the Stratocaster and continue to build all their guitars trough Leo and eventually CBS´s ownership.

LEO IN PERSON

Leo was an inventor first and a businessman second. He did not know how to play guitar ever, yet alone tune one up, but was always keen on learning from artists what they need and improvements they wish to see for his guitars.

Leo sold Fender in 1966 to CBS because he thought he was terminally ill, when in fact he was not. He remained a consultant for CBS for a few years. He would develop the micro-tilt system for them to name some thing he did for CBS.

After some years, he would become involved with business affairs alongside ex-Fender employe Forrest White and Tom Walker. With them they started what was to become "Music Man" which Fender became president for in 1975 under his CLF Research company he had founded.

He pulled out a short time after and started G&L with George Fullerton. This was to be the last position Leo worked at where he kept developing on the Stratocaster inspired design until he passed away.

During his tenure with G&L, Leo got married to Phyllis Fender after his first wife Esther died of cancer in 1979. With Phyllis, Leo took the opportunity to travel a great deal around the world. He was fond of Cruise trips and would visit many countries trough his exploring adventures.

After a couple of minor strokes, Leo Fender passed away in march 1991 of complications from Parkinson disease. Phyllis died in 2020.

Great book about Leo i would recommend Leo Fender The Quiet Giant Heard Around The World