George Beauchamp, Adolph Rickenbacker, and Paul Barth form the Ro-Pat-In Corporation after Beauchamp designs the first (horseshoe) pickup
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
John Hall, son of F.C. Hall is born
1951
1952
F.C. Hall purchases The Electro String Instrument Corporation from Adolph Rickenbacker for $100,000 cash 
The Combo 600 and 800 are introduced
1955
The Combo 400 is introduced 
The Combo 450 is introduced 
The 4000 bass is introduced
The Combo 850 is introduced 
The short scale Capri is introduced 
The full scale Capri is introduced
The 5000 series electric mandolin is introduced 
The deep body Capri 381 is introduced 
The 425 is introduced
1959
John Lennon purchased his first Rickenbacker, a 1958 Capri with serial V81, in Hamburg, Germany
1961
1961
Summer 
The 460 is introduced
November 
The 4001 bass is introduced
Photo credit: Heritage Auctions
The 615 and 625 were introduced 
George Harrison purchases his first Rickenbacker, a 1962 425 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, serial number BH439 
F.C. Hall entered into an exclusive agreement with Rose-Morris to distribute Rickenbacker products throughout the UK 
John Lennon is gifted a new 325, in Miami, Florida, serial number DB122. 
George Harrison is gifted a 360/12, in New York, serial number CM107 
The round top 360 is introduced
1965
1965
Roger "Jim" McGuinn records with the Byrds their first hit single "Mr. Tambourine Man" using his new and distinctive sounding round top Mapleglo 360/12, serial number DJ451 Summer 
The 4005 bass is introduced
August 
George Harrison acquires his third Rickenbacker, a round top 360/12
Paul McCartney is gifted his first Rickenbacker, a left-handed Fireglo 4001S, serial number DA23, in Beverly Hills 
The Bantar is introduced as the 6000 model number 
The Beatles performed "All You Need Is Love" on live TV with Paul McCartney playing his recently psychedelic painted Rickenbacker 4001S
1968
1969
1969
The first Light Show guitars were produced
1971
The Yes single "Roundabout" released; Chris Squire's playing and tone drives up Rickenbacker 4001 demand substantially
1973
The 620 is introduced and replaces the 615 and 625 
The 362/12 double neck is introduced 
Designer Forrest White's 430 guitar and 3000 and 3001 basses are introduced 
The 4080 and 4080/12 double necks are introduced
1976
1976
March
The 4002 bass is introduced
1978
1979
1979
1980
B-series guitars and bass introduced
1982
1982
1983
1983
June
John Hall purchases the company from his father, F.C. Hall and names it Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC).
The V series is introduced to succeed the B series
1985
1985
1986
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Pete Townshend, the 1998PT
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Roger McGuinn, the 370/12RM 
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Susanna Hoffs, the 350SH
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for John Kay, the 381JK
Rickenbacker creates signature models for John Lennon, the 325JL, 355JL, and 355/12JL 
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Tom Petty, the 660/12TP
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Chris Squire, the 4001CS
Rickenbacker creates signature models for Glen Frey, the 230GF and 2030GF
The 4004 bass is introduced
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Rickenbacker creates signature models for Carl Wilson, the 360CW and 360/12CW
2000
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Lemmy Kilmister, the 4004LK
C-series guitars and basses introduced
2003
2004
2005
Rickenbacker celebrates their 75th anniversary with a special run of Dark Cherry Metallic (DCM) finishes for a variety of their guitars and basses
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2011
October
2012
2013
2014
The 4003S is reintroduced 
The 1993Plus is introduced
2016
2017
2017
July
The 4003S/5 is introduced 
Rickenbacker creates a signature model for Al Cisneros, the 4003AC
2020
In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the company, Rickenbacker releases the 480XC and 4005XC limited edition guitar and bass
2022
2022
October
2023
The 4005 bass is revived and called the 4005V 