In 1851, George Taylor started Taylor Instruments in Rochester New York. The company started out making instruments for the professional market, in a very small factory shop. They started out small, but their motto was (and still remains) “Accuracy First.” When they compared their products to others, or were tasked with making replacement thermometers, the accuracy was the most important facet of their thermometers.

During the Industrial Revolution years, Taylor grew with the demands for new technologies, streamlining processes and advancing with the manufacturing world. In addition to thermometers and hygrometers, the company also made incubator thermometers, and controlled environment instruments, establishing itself in the professional market.

Taylor also established itself as a critical instrument manufacturer during World War 1. It made altitude barometers for the fighter aircraft, and was also the standard of any aircraft made during this time. During WWII, the company became a critical supplier of their precision instruments, such as compasses, with all of their thermometers, hygrometers and barometers going to the war effort, none for consumer use. Although, the most interesting point of history for Taylor was its part in designing and manufacturing ultra-secret pressure instruments for the Manhattan Project (the atomic bomb).

Taylor went though many changes in the next 60 years, with changes in manufacturing plants and several different owners. The one constant was its dedication to finding unique products for both the consumer and the professional markets, with accuracy, design and innovation being paramount. 

 This is a nice  compass in brass full hunter case made c. 1930 by Taylor. The side of the case is highly engraved with nice floral design. There is a knob that has the form of a flower that must be pushed to open the compass. The glass crystal is as new without traces of dirt as on usual Taylor compasses. The dial is also in excellent condition. Signed Taylor. The twisted bar needle is locked when the case is closed. 

 Contains Radium paint. (0.3 micro sievert/h)