W. Watson and Sons
W. Watson and Sons, optician and camera maker, of 313 High Holborn, London, WC1, and Edinburgh. Telephone: Holborn 2767. Works: Bells Hill, High Barnet, Hertfordshire. Cables: "Optics, London". (1929)
Ditto Addresses and Telephone. Cables: "Optics, Holb., London". (1947)
Made fine wooden view cameras and others as well as binoculars, microscopes, movie projectors
1837 Founded.
1889 Participated in the formation of a Photographic Trades Section of the London Chamber of Commerce[1]
1894 Exhibited scientific instruments at the Antwerp Exhibition[2].
1900 acquired John Browning and Co.
1912 Demonstrated use of ac to enhance the growth of plants in a nursery near London[3]
1929 Advert in British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and Photographic Exhibit. Manufacturers of Microscopes for Medical, Industrial, Educational purposes and for the Amateur, Prism Binoculars, Astronomical and Portable Telescopes, Photographic Lenses and Cameras, Surveying and measuring Instruments, Photometers, Scientific Apparatus of every description. (Scientific Section - Stand No. N.24) [4]
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Microscopes for all purposes and auxiliary optical and mechanical accessories. Photometers, Telescopes, Prism Binoculars, Photographic Lenses (all types) Optical Elements in every form. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. A.1020) [5]
1951 Demonstrated improved zoom lens for TV cameras[6]
1956 Pye acquired a substantial interest in the old established business of W. Watson and Sons, makers of optical and scientific equipment.[7]
By 1959 was a subsidiary of Pye[8].
1959 Part of Pye Instruments Group. Introduced the Barnet Ventilator, an electronic replacement for the iron lung[9] and the Howell’s Ventilator, another respiratory machine for medical use.
c.1970 The company had closed.