SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

Bill Lear

1902-06-26 – 1978-05-14

Portrait of Bill Lear
William P. Lear with turbine engineCredit: Unknown author

Life & Legacy

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.

Occupation & Career

military flight engineer, inventor, engineer, businessperson

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

Elliott Cresson Medal; National Aviation Hall of Fame; National Inventors Hall of Fame; Collier Trophy; Learjet 23/24/25

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

Collier Trophy · Elliott Cresson Medal · National Aviation Hall of Fame · National Inventors Hall of Fame

Notable Work

Learjet 23/24/25

Verified Legacy Record

Sources & Provenance

  1. Wikidata population candidate Q325128 — wikidata View source

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