Smith, Beck and Beck
of Coleman-street, London.
1843 Richard Beck started work with a famous instrument maker, James Smith
1847 Richard Beck went into partnership with Smith - Smith and Beck
1851 Smith and Richard Beck exhibited at the Great Exhibition - see Smith and Beck.
1851 Joseph Beck joined his brother and James Smith at Smith and Beck
1853 "The optical factory of the firm was opened at Holloway in 1853, appropriately named the Lister Works, and it clearly followed the Quaker tradition. The microscopist Thomas Hudson recorded in his diary a visit to the works in May 1854, finding it 'a model optical manufactory having a Steam Engine working Lathes &c this is a most complete establishment having a Library and Reading and Refreshment Room' (Turner, Frederick "Thomas Hudson's microscopical diary", 198)."[1]
1854 the company was named Smith, Beck and Beck.
1857 Joseph was made a partner in the firm.
1861 Employing 40 men, and 35 boys and girls [2]
1865 Smith retired; the company became R. and J. Beck.