COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3826

Laboratory Analytical Instruments

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1916–1986founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedKollmorgen CorporationFoundedKollmorgen Corporation
1916
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedBeckman Instruments, Inc.FoundedBeckman Instruments, Inc.
1934
FoundedThe Perkin-Elmer CorporationFoundedThe Perkin-Elmer Corporation
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedHach Co.FoundedHach Co.
1951
FoundedMillipore CorporationFoundedMillipore Corporation
1954
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedNational Instruments CorporationFoundedNational Instruments Corporation
1976
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.FoundedIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedThermo Instrument Systems Inc.FoundedThermo Instrument Systems Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Kollmorgen Corporation →
Active · founded 1916 · hhtp//www.kollmorgen.com
Kollmorgen Corporation has had its share of ups and downs.
Kollmorgen Corporation →
Active · founded 1916 · hhtp//www.kollmorgen.com
Kollmorgen Corporation has had its share of ups and downs.
Beckman Instruments, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
A leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of laboratory instruments, Beckman Instruments, Inc., sells a broad…
Beckman Instruments, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
A leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of laboratory instruments, Beckman Instruments, Inc., sells a broad…
The Perkin-Elmer Corporation →
Active · founded 1939
The Perkin-Elmer Corporation is the world's leading producer of analytical instruments used in military operations,…
The Perkin-Elmer Corporation →
Active · founded 1939
The Perkin-Elmer Corporation is the world's leading producer of analytical instruments used in military operations,…
Hach Co. →
Active · founded 1951
Hach Co.
Hach Co. →
Active · founded 1951
Hach Co.
Millipore Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1954
Millipore Corporation, a multinational high-technology company, is a world leader in membrane separations technology…
Millipore Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1954
Millipore Corporation, a multinational high-technology company, is a world leader in membrane separations technology…
National Instruments Corporation →
Active · founded 1976
National Instruments Corporation is a leading developer of computer-based instrumentation hardware and software…
National Instruments Corporation →
Active · founded 1976
National Instruments Corporation is a leading developer of computer-based instrumentation hardware and software…
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
Thermo Instrument Systems Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Thermo Instrument Systems Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Thermo Electron, is an international leader in…
Thermo Instrument Systems Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Thermo Instrument Systems Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Thermo Electron, is an international leader in…
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