George Ballas - Invented the Weed Wacker

George Ballas changed the way people take care of their lawns by designing a product he first called the Weed Eater. His device was initially a tin can with strands of fishing line attached to the rotary of a lawn edger. It performed very well and sales flourished during the 1970's. He later sold his product to Emerson Electric who re-named it the Weed Wacker.

Ballas died on June 25, 2011 ate the age of 85 in Houston,TX of natural causes.

He was also a very accomplished dancer. After serving in the military, he worked for Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire dance studios. He later opened his own studio, Dance City USA, which covered 43,000 square feet and employed 120 instructors. He sold it in 1964. Both of his sons were very accomplished dancers and were featured on "Dancing With the Stars".

He also developed a Houston hotel and was and adjunct professor at Rice University, teaching a course in entrepreneurship.