Early history:
The 1940s - Prototype
The history actually starts in the mid 1940s when Leo and "Doc" Kauffman built a simple pickup testing unit. Local artists began asking to borrow it to play at shows because of the sustain and sound.
In 1949 the Prototype was created with the basic body shape still in use today along with a "snakehead" style headstock. Later prototypes incorporated the now-famous headstock design we instantly recognize.
1950 - The Esquire and the Broadcaster
The Esquire arrived in 1950. Featuring a single pickup and coming only in blonde. It sadly did not incorporate a truss rod resulting in many bent necks to replace. Later in the year, the single coil Esquire was replaced with a two-pickup model dubbed the Broadcaster. The Esquire would find its way back in the line-up the following year.
1951 - The "Nocaster"
In 1951, after legal action was brought by Gretsch over the Broadcaster name, headstock decals were trimmed to only say Fender. These guitars were later termed "Nocasters". With fewer than 500 of these guitars ever built, they are highly sought after. In the fall of that same year, the guitar was branded as the Telecaster.
1952 - The Telecaster
In 1951, after legal action was brought by Gretsch over the Broadcaster name, headstock decals were trimmed to only say Fender. These guitars were later termed Nocasters. With fewer than 500 of these guitars ever built, they are highly sought after. In the fall of that same year, the guitar was branded as the Telecaster.
A few variations:
Deluxe
Cabranita
Thinline