In the early 1940s, Paul approached Gibson with his invention, but the company balked, likening it to a “broomstick with pickups.” But once Gibson caught wind of Leo Fender’s Broadcaster creation in 1950, Gibson’s Ted McCarty quickly began working on a singlecut, solidbody electric with Paul as a special consultant. In 1952, they released the first incarnation of the Les Paul model—now the most iconic signature model ever built. This innovative spirit eventually landed Paul a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. And the guitar that started it all—the Log—has been housed at the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian.