Bill Lear
Bill Lear | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Powell Lear June 26, 1902 Hannibal, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 1978 (aged 75) Reno, Nevada, U.S. |
| Other names | William P. Lear |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, inventor |
| Known for | Car radio, 8-track tape, Learjet |
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| Children | 7, including John Olsen Lear |
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William Powell Lear (June 26, 1902 – May 14, 1978) was an American inventor and businessman. He is best known for founding Learjet, a manufacturer of business jets. He also invented the battery eliminator for the B battery, and developed the car radio and the 8-track cartridge, an audio tape system. Throughout his career of 46 years, Lear received over 140 patents.