Barometers Realm

The famous Dollond family, makers of optical and scientific instruments, began their work in 1750 when Peter Dollond established a workshop in Hatton Garden, London. In 1761, John Dollond was appointed royal optician to George III and the Duke of York. In 1766, Peter partnered with his younger brother John. The Dollonds supplied optical instruments for Captain Cook and Hadley. In 1820, the Dollond family was honored with the title of royal opticians for George IV. In 1851, their work received a medal at the Great Exhibition for instruments that recorded meteorological data on a paper strip. In 1927, the firm was acquired by James Aitchison and became known as Dollond and Aitchison.