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The story of Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, one of the oldest companies still operating in the US today, traces its roots to 1853, when John Jacob Bausch, a German immigrant, set up a small optical shop in Rochester, New York. When he needed more money to keep his business afloat, Bausch borrowed $60 from his good friend, Henry Lomb. Bausch promised that if the business developed, he would make Lomb an equal partner. The business did grow and a partnership was formed.
In the early years, Bausch + Lomb manufactured revolutionary rubber eyeglass frames, as well as a host of optical products that required a high degree of manufacturing precision. By 1903, the company had issued patents for microscopes, binoculars, and even a camera diaphragm, which was based on the eye's reaction to light...
A story of innovations
In the 1900s, Bausch + Lomb continued to demonstrate its position at the forefront of technological innovation for optical products. Bausch + Lomb produced the first quality eyeglasses made in America, developed the pioneering sunglasses for the military in World War I, and created the lenses used in the cameras that took the first satellite pictures of the Moon. In 1971, Bausch + Lomb introduced the first soft contact lenses and is still the largest provider of eye care products worldwide.
Although the products and times have changed, Bausch + Lomb still clings to the legacy that wants it dedicated to innovation, quality and craftsmanship established by John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb.
