ABOUT US

"James Munro was apprenticed on 11th July 1783 to Richard Le Keux, Citizen and Fishmonger  (By trade a Mathematical Instrument Maker) and living in Wapping, for the consideration of 30 guineas. He was admitted to the Company's for the Freedom by servitude on 2nd August 1790 after having been, by virtue of  a judgement obtained in the Mayor's Court, turned over for the completion of service to Thomas Botten." 

From these roots there has grown a lineage of engineers who have traditionally adhered to the basic skills associated with instrument making and precision engineering and with which R. W. Munro Limited remains identified. 
In 1790 James Munro married Hannah Portman at St. Georges, Hanover Square. There were three children of the marriage-two sons and a daughter. The elder son, also named James, followed his father's occupation and in time took premises at No. 4, High Street, Lambeth, where he conducted a business as a Mathematical and Optical Instrument Maker; his card reproduced here reflects the scope of his trade. He also became a Freeman of The Fishmongers' Com­pany, a traditional privilege obtained by patrimony and inherited by the present Chairman. James' subsequent marriage was blessed with thirteen children amongst whom were four sons the eldest being James and the youngest Robert William who was destined to become The Founder of the company which today bears his name. 
For a while James and Robert William worked together in the trade of their father in Lambeth. Subsequently they parted agreeably, James to engage in the manufacture of lathes ( one of which is retained at the company's works) and other manufacturing machinery, while Robert William, then nearing twenty-five years of age, took premises in Bridgewater Gardens and commenced business on his own account. Thus, in 1864 the company came into being at a time of tremendous engineering progress. 
Looking at the record of this period of the firm's history perhaps the most striking feature was the constant and controlled pace of develop­ment which in considerable measure was due to a strong personal relationship with both staff and customers. Such relationship engen­dered loyalty and energy in those serving at all levels and the confidence of customers. From the outset, The Founder, himself thoroughly grounded in precision engineering, and fortunate in his inventiveness and adaptability, quickly achieved a reputation that brought contracts from official departments, scientific bodies, prominent and notable individuals and companies whose names still appear in today's order book. 
No extravagant claims are intended but there is reflected in the record that from the earliest days the firm operated with exceptional and beneficial flexibility in its productive capacity. For example, during the first five years of its life the products were varied and contrasting and in addition to mathematical and optical instruments included corn balances, meteorological equipment and type slips used in printing dividend warrants at The Bank of England. 
There can be little doubt that with such diversity of products the inventive capacity and skills were carefully directed, particularly as mechanisms and methods often had to be originated. Apart from his engineering ability and business acumen, R. W .. _Munro had a keen perception of a man's qualities. When in 1867 he accepted Francis John Rooker into his employ, Mr. Munro must have seen in this young man's character and ability, assets that would serve the firm well. Formerly in This the service judgement of was the not company misplaced until for his Frank retirement Rooker in 1932. was to remain  he had studied engineering at Birbeck College and a calculating device bearing his name may be seen at the Science Museum in South Kensing­ton. His contributions to the design, development and manufacture of the firm's products proved invaluable and those who had the oppor­tunity of working under and with him will readily acknowledge that much of the resulting success is due to theinventiveness of Frank Rooker. 
In the passage of the century certain work has become traditional and continuous, an outstanding example ofthis being the meteorological equipment. Throughout this narrative it will be recognised that Mr. R. W. Munro's personal interest in meteorology-he was a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society-had a far reaching influence over the firm's fortunes from the earliest days. The Robinson anemometer and other instruments had been made within the first two years of forming the business and the records of The Meteorological Com­mittee show consistent entries of work undertaken either for the manufacture or installation and maintenance of instruments in many parts of the British Isles. 

The Founder's interest in meteoro­logy stemmed from the earliest years of the firm's formation and the Robinson Anemometer shown here is an example of the first instruments for this science made at the Bridgewater Gardens Works.  As a result of The Meteorological Committee's special interest in wind force, a·· body was set up to investigate this subject; the Tay Bridge disaster of the 28th December, 1879, had concerned the autho­rities to a degree that it was considered essential and urgent to evolve an instrument that might accurately indicate wind force. The outcome was that Mr. W. H. Dines, B.A., F.R.Met.Soc., was invited to under­take the necessarr•_tesearch from which resulted the Dines' pressure tube anemometer. Mr. R. W. Munro was commissioned to assist Mr. Dines with whom he worked very closely and completed the first anemometer in 1892. This was installed at the home of Dines, in Oxshott, where it proved accurate and reliable and, in fact, outdated all other types and remains universally acceptable-72 years later! R. W. Munro became the sole manufacturer and although certain modifications have since been incorporated to meet specific and wider applications,· the Dines' pressure tube anemon;ieter remains funda­mentally in its original form.  Following this immediate success, orders were placed for pressure tube anemometers for installation at the official weather stations in the British Isles and, in time, many orders were received from overseas. Today there are very few

countries that do not use this anemometer for official meteorological services. Among the various authorities continuing to install the Dines' anemometer are the Air Ministry, U.K. Atomic Energy Authority, Central Electricity Generating Board, Crown Agents, Commonwealth Governments and the United Nations Organisation (UNESCO). 
When the second British Antarctic Expedition, led by Captain R. F. Scott, R.N., was being prepared, appeals were made for financial assistance and help in kind in response to which a great deal of aid was offered and a Dines' pressure tube anemometer was loaned by The Founder. Certain modifications were effected to the head and vane assembly to overcome the problem of snow entering and choking the pressure and suetion orifices and which would prevent recording. The anemometer was installed at the winter quarters of the expedition on Ross Island. According to Professor Sir George Simpson, D.Sc., F.R.S., the meteorologist and scientist with the expedition:
"The change in design of the head proved a great success in practice." 
 Subsequently the anemometer was returned to the works where it was reconditioned and further modified to incorporate a direction recorder designed by Frank Rooker, and prepared for Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition of 1914. On this occasion the anemometer was installed in the supply ship " Endurance " which became a total loss when trapped and crushed in the ice causing the expedition to be stranded on a large ice flow. 

This Instrument has been adopted as a Standard by the British Meteorological Office, and at various Observatories In the United Kingdom and Abroad.  Since the Dines' pressure tube anemometer was first designed in 1892 it has been adapted for recording both wind velocity and direction simultaneously.  The anemometer illustrated below makes an interesting comparison with the type opposite. On the combined velocity and direction instrument the recording mechanism is more complex.  The head and vane assembly is a modified type with a shroud fitted over the pressure and suction pipe connections thraugh which the pressure differences control the anemometer to record velocity; a central rod interconnects the vane with the direction recording mechanism.

Since the Dines' pressure tube anemometer was first designed in 1892 it has been adapted for recording both wind velocity and direction simultaneously.  The anemometer illustrated below makes an interesting comparison with the type opposite. On the combined velocity and direction instrument the recording mechanism is more complex.  The head and vane assembly is a modified type with a shroud fitted over the pressure and suction pipe connections thraugh which the pressure differences control the anemometer to record velocity; a central rod interconnects the vane with the direction recording mechanism.  Mr. R. W. Munro, seen on the left of the second row, with his employees outside the Granville Works, King's Cross, London, in 1884. On his left stands Mr. F. J. Rooker. Among those in later years who received practical engineering experience with Mr. Munro were J. B. S. Gabriel, now Chairman of Charles Churchill & Co., Ltd., and John Burns, who was subsequently acti/e in Radical politics.

For The MUNRO History

The MUNRO History - About Munro -Laboratory Equipment
Munro Instruments manufactures specialist scientific equipment and instrumentation.
Founded in 1864 the company is recognised worldwide for its innovative spirit and exceptional versatility.
MUNRO SCIENTIFIC is a British company that markets thousands of laboratory equipment and devices to countries around the world.

Laboratory products in the UK.

MUNRO is a trusted name in the field of laboratory equipment and supplies. With a comprehensive range of products including medical equipment, scientific instruments and lab supplies, we have everything you need to take your research to the next level. Our commitment to providing top-quality products and exceptional customer service sets us apart from the competition. Whether you're a researcher, scientist, or lab technician, our team of experts is here to help you find the right equipment for your needs. We're dedicated to providing you with the best possible experience and helping you achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services, and let us help you take your research to the next level.


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