A TABLE TOP TELESCOPE (by KELVIN HIGHES) 1980’S

A Table Top Telescope with 2 sights, made by the famous Scientific Instrument Makers–KELVIN HUGHES. This bears their Badge dated 1917 but the Company goes back way before that date.  Around 1904, a London branch office was opened, which by 1915 had taken the name Kelvin, White & Hutton Ltd.

From 1918 Wilfrid O. White sold Kelvin and White compasses in the USA under the name of Kelvin and Wilfrid O. White Co., Boston and New York. Wilfrid O. White also sold his own patented compasses under the same name.

In 1913 Dr Bottomley became chairman of Kelvin & James White Ltd and the firm changed its name, becoming Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd. Alfred Baird had been a compass adjuster with the firm since 1884. Kelvin, Bottomley and Baird Ltd manufactured Marine navigation equipment such as “Kelvite” binnacle compasses and sounding machines at the Kelvin Works, Hillington, Glasgow.

In 1934 Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd built an instrument factory at Basingstoke which was later to become the Smiths Industries Aerospace site.

Following the destruction of the London offices in the Blitz of 1941, discussions were initiated with Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd regarding collaboration which resulted in the establishing of the joint venture company Marine Instruments Ltd at 107, Fenchurch Street, London in 1942.