William P. Lear - Creative Designer and Inventor

"The life story of WIlliam Powell Lear is a true Horatio Alger tale. Born in a small river town in Missouri and raised on the crowded south side of Chicago, his formal schooling ended with the completion of the eighth grade. He left home at the age of 17 to make his way in the world, following a blueprint that he himself made in early childhood. Through sheer grit and determination, he rose to a position of prominence and wealth, fabulous almost beyond belief. That, in short, is his life story, more interesting than fiction and as inspiring as any true adventure tale could be."

"To those people who would say that the days of opportunity are gone for young people who must of necessity make their own way in the modern world of business, I would reply, "Read this story of the life of Bill Lear and let it speak for itself, for it will prove you wrong."

To William Lear life has been a challenge to be met with force and confidence, with supreme faith that there is nothing that cannot be done if one has the will to succeed. He had that will and faith and confidence—and he succeeded"

From the Preface to: "William P. Lear - Creative Designer and Inventor" by L.E. Leipold, Ph.D. (T.S. Denison & Company, Inc., Minneapolis, 1967. —Men of Achievement Series. Library of Congress Catalog Number 67-24768.