ROBBINS

Alfred L. Robbins Co

This company was founded in Chicago, USA, in 1871. Alfred L Robbins was listed as owner and director in trade publications of the time. The Company was on 179 and 181 Lake St in Chicago in 1893, but had moved to 149 and 151 East Huron St by 1898.

Their advertisements declared that they were makers of physical, chemical and optical apparatus including air pumps, electrical machines, solar and electrical projection microscopes and electrical test instruments. They advertised in the Journal of Education and also had a listing under “Medical Supplies” in the Chicago trade catalogues of the late 19^th-century. A dentist’s drill made by Alfred L. Robbins has featured recently on a well-known auction site.

By the end of the century, the company name on equipment appears as “Alfred L. Robbins – Martin”. In 1904, there was an agreement between Robbins and Edward P Martin, previously secretary to the company, which seems to formalise a merger.