I enjoyed this BBC documentary. I thought I knew the subject fairly well, but there was a fair amount of information that was new to me. For example, I never appreciated the significance of Hawaiian music in the instrument's evolution. Even if you're an expert, you'll enjoy the vintage video, which includes the very first filmed performance of an electric guitar, which also happens to be the very first electric guitar.
 
 

 

 
There is a third part, but I haven't found it yet on YouTube.
 
 
 

Hi,
 
I'll check this at home, but I had the idea that some of this came from the "lute" and other string instruments that have hundreds and thousands of years of life.
 
I take it this is strictly the electric guitar?
 
Strange ... I keep thinking that the development of the instrument from 3 to 6 strings over 1000 years would be more interesting, since it would go via many other cultures and European history specially in Italy. I may be incorrect, but there is a story or two that the gypsies in Europe are the ones that kept the "lute" alive and hidden from a certain group ... for hundreds of years ... etc ... etc ... etc ... and I kinda like that history better, but will definitely take a look at those two things.

bitflipper
I enjoyed this BBC documentary. I thought I knew the subject fairly well, but there was a fair amount of information that was new to me. For example, I never appreciated the significance of Hawaiian music in the instrument's
 
 

+1, that was an eye-opener to me too. Saw this doc last year, good stuff.