Bill Lear

Bill Lear
Born
William Powell Lear

(1902-06-26)June 26, 1902
DiedMay 14, 1978(1978-05-14) (aged 75)
Other nameWilliam P. Lear
OccupationsEngineer, inventor
Known forCar radio, 8-track tape, Learjet
Spouses
  • Ethel Peterson
  • Madeline Murphy
    ​
    (m. 1926)​
  • Margret Radell
  • ​
    (m. 1941)​
Children7, including John Olsen Lear
Awards

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.