Dates

• Existence: 1881 - 1968

Biography

Founded on 1 January 1881 by Horace Darwin and Albert George Dew-Smith, two Cambridge graduates, to meet the need for new types of instrument for laboratory work at the University of Cambridge, especially instruments for physiology and physics. The company was based initially in Panton Street, before moving to St. Tibbs Row in 1882. The partnership between Darwin and Dew-Smith was dissolved in 1891.

In 1895 the company moved to larger premises in Carlyle Road and became a limited liability company. In November 1919 the Company bought Robert Paul’s instrument making business in New Southgate and the new name for the combined companies became The Cambridge and Paul Instrument Company. In 1924 the Company became a public company, and the name was shortened to The Cambridge Instrument Company. It continued to trade under this name until 1968 when the company merged with George Kent Limited. The merger signalled the end of the company in its original form. It was reorganised into four divisions, and these were eventually sold off separately.