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The two most popular manufacturers of electric guitars are FENDER & GIBSON. Fenders have a thinner trebly sound and Gibsons have a warmer richer sound as Fender's mostly use single coil pickups and Gibsons largely use Humbuckers.
FENDER - The first commercially produced solid electric guitar was the Fender Broadcaster (1949). The name was changed to Fender Telecaster in the early 50's as the name 'broadcaster' was copyrighted. The Telecaster is still made now and is a great guitar, models from the mid 50's command high prices. Frank Black from the Pixies is a famous Telecaster player. Fenders other popular guitar is the Stratocaster introduced in 1954, this is a more streamlined space age looking version of the rather dour Telecaster with 3 pickups and the now classic 2 horned double cutaway body shape. The Stratacaster has become probably the most poplular of all electric guitars with countless variants and copies over the years. The most famous 'Strat' (as it is known) players were probably Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton who changed allegiance from Gibson in the early '70's. The most highly prized Strats are ones from the 1950's which change hands for several thousand pounds. Fender make a whole range of Strat's from budget models made in China to virtually hand built ones in the US.
 GIBSON- the other major manufacturer of electric guitars who introduced the Les Paul model in 1952. This was designed in collaboration with famous guitarist and record producer Les Paul. The body is a solid arch topped single cutaway and is heavier than the Strat. Most models have 2 pickups, the sound tends to be warmer and fatter than that produced by the Strat and is particularly fashionable at the moment and is favoured by heavy guitar players such as Jimmy Page and Slash. The model although remaining basically the same has had changes over the years. 1957 is generally regarded as the best year. Gibson also make modern re-creations of the 1950's instruments which are excellent but expensive (get prices).
Other Gibson electrics are the SG which is a smaller lighter guitar than the Les Paul introduced in 1961 as its replacement - although good in its own way it was not comparable to the Les Paul.... SG fans included Angus Young. Gibson have also made some odd shaped electrics ie, the Explorer and the Flying V beloved of heavy metal bands. These guitars are pretty good all though they spawned countless copies and imitations by other companies which are often less good and less tasteful.
Other makes of electric have their particular fans and sound, Rickenbaker are worth noting as played by Roger McGuinn of the Byrds and Peter Buck, REM. They are notable for their chorusy sound and popular as 12 strings.
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