In 1932, Rickenbacker released an aluminum-bodied lap steel guitar nicknamed the “Frying Pan”. This was the world’s first mass-made electric guitar.

Electro (renamed from Ro-Pat-In in 1934) went on to make some “Spanish”-style electrics, but focused most of it’s energy and resources on Hawaiian instruments such as the “Model B” seen here.

It’s body and neck are made from Bakelite (and were bolted together), which was less affected by temperature changes that could affect tuning than the aluminum used on the Frying Pan.