Using the Database
| About | Methodology | Using the Database | Sources |
Each maker in the database indicates a different entity known to be connected to the manufacture, repair, sale or design of scientific or precision equipment. The name of the entity, dates it is known to be active, location, types of activity, and other information are listed on each page. Information is provided as a starting point, and is not intended to be complete. The database is a work in process!
The definition of terms on maker pages is given below. You can learn more about the methodology used to define "companies" what qualified as an "instrument maker" and other questions here.
Reading a Maker Page
Title: The name(s) the entity was known by.
Type: Company, Individual, or Government.
Company: A commercial company founded for the commercialisation of a product in order to make money.
Individual: A particular individual associated with the design of an instrument.
Government: A government agency
Coverage: The general and predominate location(s) of the company, such as a city or town.
Begin Date: The date of the beginning of the entity, such as the date it was founded or formed.
Active From: The earliest known activity of the entity for which there is evidence.
End Date: The date of the end of the entity, such as the day one company was acquired by another and ceased operating independently.
Active Until: The latest known activity of the entity for which there is evidence. “Ongoing” indicates that, as of November 2024 the company was active.
Location: The most specific known locations of the company. This will show specific addresses where the entity was known to operate. Dates shown indicate when there is evidence for the entity at those addresses, however, the timeline may provide more information of how long the company was located at the locations given. These locations are plotted on the database map.
Product Areas: The general types of products an entity may have focused on.
Activities: The general types of activity an entity was engaged in. These terms are given as guidelines only. Entities may change activities over
Manufacturing: The production of equipment or tools, whether on a factory or individual scale. Equipment manufactured may be made from scratch or assembled from parts.
Repairing: The servicing or repair of equipment.
Supplying: The sales or supplying of equipment to another entity, including both retail and wholesale.
Designing: Research or development resulting in the production of a new or improved piece of equipment.
Importing: The bringing of equipment into Canada from a foreign maker.
Exporting: The movement of products outside of Canada for sale.
Timeline: A selective list of events in the life of the entity. The timeline is not intended to be exhaustive or representative of the entire lifetime of the entity, but represents information gained from research.
Sources: Sources for the references given in the timeline or other places to find information about the entity. Note: City Directories are not listed in Sources, and are only given as references in the timeline.