If it weren't for the mastermind innovations of the late Les Paul, the world of Rock and Pop music, as well as the recording industry, may have been put on a delayed path.  But luckily, the music world was graced with his creations early on.  For example multi-track recording, tape delay, and of course, the solid-body electric guitar, which he played regularly into his 90's.  And today, at age 94, the legend has passed away.

His own style of strumming the strings at quick speeds and double-time rhythms , were uniquely played due to his arm being permanently set into guitar playing position.  That setting was by his own request to a doctor patching him back up after a severe auto wreck he was involved in back in 1948.  And as the years went on, Paul acquired severe arthritis, but even that wouldn't stop him from playing, thus innovating yet again.  This time, a two finger method.
Les Paul's gifts to the world gave him infinite notoriety as his achievements have placed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Inventors Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

And countless musicians continue to strum. Some noted for playing Les Paul guitars include, the Beatles' Harrison, Lennon, & McCartney,  Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Eric Clapton, Dave Davies (the Kinks), the Edge (U2), Robin Finck (NIN/Guns'n'Roses), Ace Freehly (Kiss), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Kirk Hammett & James Hetfield (Metallica), Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jones (The Clash), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Robby Krieger (the Doors), Bob Marley, Roy Orbison, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Keith Richards & Mick Taylor & Ronnie Wood(Rolling Stones), Carlos Santana, Slash (G'n'R), Johnny Thunders, Eddie Van Halen, and Frank Zappa, just to name a few...