Paul Galvin (businessman)

Paul Galvin (businessman) was an American businessman and inventor best known for his leadership of Motorola, Inc. from its founding in 1928 until his death in 1959.

Galvin, along with his brother Joseph, founded the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. The company initially manufactured battery eliminators, which allowed battery-powered radios to run directly from household electricity. Recognizing the shift in the radio market toward car radios, Galvin focused the company's efforts on developing radios suitable for automobiles.

In 1930, Galvin Manufacturing Corporation introduced the Motorola radio, one of the first commercially successful car radios. The "Motorola" name, a portmanteau of "motor" and "ola" (a common suffix for sound-related products at the time), would later become the name of the entire company.

Under Galvin's leadership, Motorola expanded beyond car radios into other areas of electronics, including home radios, police radios, and two-way communication systems. During World War II, Motorola became a major supplier of communication equipment to the U.S. military.

After the war, Galvin continued to guide Motorola's growth, overseeing the development of new technologies, including televisions and semiconductors. He established a reputation for innovation, quality, and employee relations.

Paul Galvin played a significant role in shaping the modern electronics industry and his legacy continues to influence Motorola Solutions, Inc., the successor company to Motorola, Inc.