On June 10, 1752, Benjamin Franklin was said to have flown a kite
during a thunderstorm to collect ambient electrical charge in a
Leyden jar, enabling him to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity. Franklin became interested in electricity
in the mid-1740s, a time when much was still unknown on the topic,
and spent almost a decade conducting electrical experiments. He
coined a number of terms used today, including battery, conductor
and electrician. He also invented the lightning rod, used to protect buildings and ships.

Benjamin Franklin 
(January 6, 1706 – April 17, 1790)

Ray Charles Robinson Sr. 
(September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004)

Singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Ray Charles is regarded
as one of the most iconic and influential singers ever, and he was
often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among
friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother
Ray". Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to
glaucoma.

Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by
combining blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles
into the music he recorded for Atlantic Records

    
    
    
    
  
Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss)
(June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)

Paul is credited with many recording innovations. His early
experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on
sound delay) effects such as tape delay, phasing, and
multitrack recording were among the first to attract
widespread attention.

His licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques,
and timing set him apart from his contemporaries and
inspired many guitarists of the present day. Paul is the
only inductee in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.   
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) 

Mary Ford and Les in their home recording studio.

Engine – 26 ready for the 1910 Portland Rose Festival Parade.