Precision instruments by Negretti & Zambra, London from 1850

Negretti & Zambra was a British company that specialized in the manufacture of precision scientific instruments, including barometers, thermometers, hygrometers, and other meteorological and optical instruments. The company was founded in London in 1850 by two Italian immigrants, Enrico Negretti and Joseph Zambra.

Negretti & Zambra quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality scientific instruments, and their products were highly sought after by scientists, engineers, and explorers. The company's instruments were used in a wide range of applications, from measuring temperature and humidity in laboratories to determining atmospheric pressure on mountain expeditions.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Negretti & Zambra was at the forefront of many important scientific and technological developments. The company produced some of the earliest aneroid barometers, which were essential for measuring atmospheric pressure at high altitudes. They also developed the first accurate portable thermometer, which was used on polar expeditions and in more... other extreme environments.

In addition to their scientific instruments, Negretti & Zambra also produced a range of optical instruments, including telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes. Their telescopes were used by explorers and astronomers, and their microscopes were used in medical research and education.

Negretti & Zambra continued to innovate and expand their product line throughout the 20th century. They were awarded several prestigious honors, including a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, and gained a prize at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Their instruments were used in many important scientific and engineering projects.

In 1985 Negretti & Zambra was purchased by the avionics company Meggitt. It is remembered as one of the most innovative and influential scientific instrument makers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Their precision instruments are still used in scientific research and education today. less...