Historical Timeline

With roots going back to 1898, Winchester is the oldest continually operating wholesale optical lab in the country. We hope you enjoy this timeline of high points in our history. Also visit our Optical Obscura Museum page for some pics of antique - some century old - optical devices.

1898

The Beginning

The owner of a small frame manufacturing company in Winsted, CN passed away. Four employees bought the machinery and stock and named the company Winchester Optical Company, from the town of Winchester where the village of Winsted was located.

1902

Horseheads, NY

The company moved to Horseheads, NY and was incorporated on January 1. There were six employees manufacturing frames and rimless mountings. They also purchased finished single vision lenses to be mounted in their frames.

1914

Equipment Manufacturing

Winchester started manufacturing the Monarch line of automatic rimless edgers.

1926

Tom Lynch

Tom started at Winchester as a delivery boy, riding an electric motorcycle to make his rounds.

1930

Three Branch Locations

Winchester had opened a second branch in Williamsport, PA in 1924 and, in 1930, the Olean, NY branch brought the total to three.

1936

Tom Lynch

Tom joined Winchester full time after graduating from college.

1953

Lens & Frame Information Book

Tom Lynch published the “Lens and Frame Information” book which presented the box system of measurement that is now standard in the industry. Over 400,000 copies of the book were sold worldwide.

1953