Fender
Clarence Leonidas('Leo')Fender started his first company in 1938 in Fullerton, California USA. The name of his business was 'Fender's Radio Service'. Fender[who was a skilled electronics technician] began his career repairing PA systems, phonographs, radios and amplifiers. It didn't take long for Fender to recognize design flaws in the amplifiers of his day, and to begin custom-building his own amplifiers based on his own designs. Also, during this period, he would modify others' designs in order to work out design flaws.
By the early 1940's, the company was renamed 'K & F Manufacturing Corporation,' after Leo was joined by Clayton Orr Kauffman. It was at this time that the two steered the company in a new direction: the designing, manufacturing, and selling of electric instruments and amplification units.
In late 1946 the pair split, as Leo was convinced there was more profit in manufacturing and selling than in repairs. This brought the company into another new direction. And...another new name: Fender Electric Instrument Company.
By the early 1940's, the company was renamed 'K & F Manufacturing Corporation,' after Leo was joined by Clayton Orr Kauffman. It was at this time that the two steered the company in a new direction: the designing, manufacturing, and selling of electric instruments and amplification units.
In late 1946 the pair split, as Leo was convinced there was more profit in manufacturing and selling than in repairs. This brought the company into another new direction. And...another new name: Fender Electric Instrument Company.