Browning & Co. (1860-1925), established by John Browning, born London, an optical and philosophical instrument maker at the Minories and the Strand, London. Maker of telescopes and spectroscopic instruments. Browning retired in 1905, moving to Gloucestershire, with his business continuing until his death in 1925 (Webster; Grace’s Guide).
E. J. Dent (1826-1897), established by Edward John Dent (1790-1853) [FRAS], an horologist who specialised in the manufacture of chronometer, larger clocks. He is also associated with the manufacture of the dipleidoscope, a device developed with James Mackenzie Bloxam to simplify the setting of timepieces by observing the sun. In addition Dent was a pioneer in the making and retailing of aneroid barometer. His partnership with chronometer maker Arnold was dissolved in 1843 after which he set up business at The Mall, Kensington. Here he established a rooftop observatory, temperature controlled to test his chronometers. After his death the business continued as E Dent & Co. (ODNB; Graces Guide; Obid., MNRAS, 14 (1854), 113-4) .
Dollond & Co. (c.1750-1925), a family of optical instrument makers, London, established by John and Peter Dollond, being succeeded by George (Huggins) Dollond and then William. Apart from the partnership of Peter and John, they traded throughout the period as Dollond. Best known for telescopes they produced a range of optical instruments. Taken over by Aitchison in 1925, they became known as spectacle makers and retailers – now part of Boots the chemists (ODNB; King 1955, 145-54; Barty-King 1986; Rudd 1998).
(Adam) Hilger (1874-1948), established by Adam Hilger with his brother Otto after leaving the employment of Browning and Co. Makers of philosophical and optical instruments they specialised in the manufacture of spectroscopic equipment. After the death of Otto, the firm became a Limited company and was later taken over by E.R.Watts and Sons, surveying instrument makers, to become Hilger & Watts Ltd (Grace’s Guide).
Slater, Thomas (1818-1899), born Northampton, an optical instrument maker based at various addresses in London. A little known optician who was commissioned to grind the 24-inch lens for the Craig Telescope erected on Wandsworth Common in 1852. This proved defective and could be only ised successfully if it was stopped-down (King 1955, 254-5; Webster Database).
Troughton & Simms (1826-1922), mathematical and optical instrument manufacturer formed from a partnership between Edward Troughton and William Simms. After 1860 with the death of William Simms it was managed by William Simms Junior and cousin James – limited company by 1915 and merged with T Cooke & Sons in 1922. Known for it optical instruments (telescopes & meridian) with divided scales, optics sourced from Merz and later from Cooke (Webster; Graces’s Guide; McConnell 1992).
Survey of Astronomical History 