"In the mid у50s, Rickenbacker turned from production of its stapleяlap steel guitarsяand started to produce рelectro-Spanishс guitars that featured the patented рhorseshoeс pickup used in the steels. Spurred by the success of the early Fender and Gibson electric guitars, Rickenbacker rapidly expanded its electric guitar line to produce several models of guitarsяincluding the Combo, the Capri and the full-bodied or рF-bodyс modelsяeach possessing unique characteristics. The Rickenbacker frenzy went into full gear in early 1964 when the Beatles appeared on nationwide U.S. television on the Ed Sullivan show. Aspiring guitar players wanted the guitars the Beatles were playing, and John Lennon and George Harrison were both playing Rickenbackers. The rest is history, briefly recounted by a walk through the following photo gallery of the beginnings and design progression of the Rickenbacker guitars that rocked the world. (All photos courtesy of Ron OуKeefe)"