Many companies experimented with solid body electric guitars, but it was Fender who finally managed to create the first commercially successful solid body electric guitar. Initially this model was called the Esquire and had a single pickup. Very soon it was redesigned into a dual-pickup guitar and renamed into the Broadcaster. But early in 1951 after the trademark issues with Gretsch (they had a line of drums called “Broadkaster”) the Broadcaster was renamed into the Telecaster.
Thanks to its distinctive sounding Fender Telecaster became very popular among country, blues and rock guitarists. This iconic guitar was the guitar of choice for such legendary musicians like Muddy Waters, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards.