|
William
Powell Lear is one of the most important inventors in history. He is famous
for developing the first practical automobile radio, the airplane radio
compass and autopilot, and the eight-track tape player.
He was born in 1902 in Hannibal,
Missouri. In Chicago, William attended a public school through grade eight.
At the age of 16, he joined the navy and then after the war, became a
pilot. During this time, he received the necessary training to become
an expert in electronic technology.
When this inventor was 20 years old, he
founded the Quincy Radio Laboratory. While there, he developed the first
actual working automobile radio. In 1924, William signed over the rights
to this radio to Motorola, Inc. Then, during the beginning of World War
Two, he invented an aeronautical radio compass and the Learmatic Navigator
known as an automatic pilot system. Also, in 1962, he formed the Learjet.
Later on, he created the eight-track tape player.
William Lear was recognized for his accomplishments
by being inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame in. He
died at the age of 74 in 1978. He will always be remembered for developing
many important products in the audio, automotive, and aircraft world.
|
