I worked at a couple failed startups and at with the second one, I was trying to steer product direction from the engineer level. I had some success, but not enough to save the company. We had the money, the market, and the time. We didn't have the product or vision at the top to succeed. That is how I ended up in MBA school. I graduate in December.

I haven't tried it, but I bet my Logitech bluetooth keyboard works with a phone. From there, all that's missing is:

1. Some sort of video out
2. Software and UI for running in computer mode.

When you think about the amount of new TVs with built-in VGA and HDMI inputs, a phone that grows into a computer could become popular.

Actually, it's Seth Lover who came up with the Humbucker design (PAF) and Ted McCarty (with some help) came up with the Tune-o-Matic. "The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy: 1915-1963" by Robb Lawrence has more info, as does Wikipedia:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAF_(pickup)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tune-o-matic

All the same, Les Paul's impact on the world is remarkable.

Show me any time open software has done anything like what the BSA/Microsoft did to the makers of Music Man guitars (Ernie Ball) and we'll talk: http://news.cnet.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html Worrying about what could happen is one thing, but knowing what has happened is more significant.

Here's a great list of software innovations by David A. Wheeler:
http://www.dwheeler.com/innovation/innovation.html

In line with your comment, he focuses on the innovations rather than with what specific applications they became popular.