The company was originally founded by Joseph Pickard and William Curry in 1876 under the name Pickard & Curry. Based at 195 Great Portland Street, London, it specialised in the design and manufacturing of ophthalmic instruments and parts, many of which were granted patents. It was the first company to develop in both sides of the optical trade, this being dispensing and manufacturing, and the diverse range of its creations was simply astounding. Today, we are proud to have a museum-worthy arsenal of archival instruments and parts to remind ourselves of our innovative and premium quality past.
The instruments Pickard & Curry excelled in producing were prescribed to the burgeoning eyewear industry in which Britain, and more specifically London, was at the epicentre. In 1886, George Paxton Snr joined the company following Mr Pickard’s retirement, however, it wasn’t until 1920 that the firm became incorporated as Curry & Paxton Ltd.