Wilson Products - Optical, Goggles Industry

Not sure what this was used for.
Researching the company; it has extensive history in manufacturing.
If you know...I would love to hear from you.

Here is what I have found so far....
1871 - Thomas A. Willson & Co. opens its factory doors on 2nd & Washington Streets in downtown Reading, PA. Founded by Gile J. Willson and Dr. Thomas A. Willson, it's the first company in the United States to manufacture optical lenses.
1876 - Thomas A. Willson patents the process for hardening glass, enabling the production of shatterproof protective eyeglasses. Among the company's bestsellers at this time are Arundel tinted lenses.
1913 - Working with Thomas A. Willson & Co., the National Safety Council is formed to set standards for uniform safety standards for America's workers.
1936 Thomas A. Willson becomes Willson Products Inc. to emphasize the large range of products the company was now manufacturing, including ear protectors, breathing devices, gas masks, and the Saf-t-bra.
1939 - Willson Products helps the war effort by making aviator goggles and high altitude oxygen masks for pilots in the military. By 1943, the factory was manufacturing all of the sunglasses issued to the U.S. Military during World War II, and reached its peak at 1,300 workers.
1950 - Willson Products begins to manufacture swimming goggles. During this year, Florence Chadwick wears them to traverse the English Channel.
1980 - Due to the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA), Willson stops manufacturing safety eyewear and focuses its attention on developing new varieties of respirators, gloves, and other protective equipment.
2002 - Under the name Dalloz Safety Plant since 1997, the factory closes, ending the campus' 130 year history of manufacturing safety products.
2005 - The campus is reimagined, renovated, and reopened as GoggleWorks Center for the Arts - now serving over 250,000 visitors annually and one of the largest interactive art center of its kind in the country.
Info - https://goggleworks.org/about/history/
Also found this article on the blog with photos of the old googles - https://theeyewearblog.com/willson-goggles-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-american-industry/

18%

Silver City Auction House | (410) 961-9159 | SilverCityAuctionsCT@gmail.com

Pickup Details

Private Residence

Newington, CT 06111

When to Pickup

Saturday, 5/30, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Ask a Question

Report Item