David P. Bushnell
David P. Bushnell | |
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Bushnell optics company |
David Pearsall Bushnell (1913–2005) was an American
Early life and education
Bushnell was born in
Bushnell was related to David Bushnell, designer of The Turtle, a Revolutionary War submarine.[1]
Career
After graduation, Bushnell began an import-export business, which included importing Belgian cement and Iranian bracelets, and exporting asbestos and old Salvation Army shoes to China. During World War II, Bushnell worked for Lockheed in administration. In 1948, on an extended honeymoon with his second wife who was also in foreign trade, he bought some binoculars in Japan. When he and his wife returned to California, his success selling 400 pair in otherwise awkward circumstances put him in the optical business. Bushnell Optical was soon founded. Binoculars were soon joined by riflescopes and various other optical equipment such as spotting scopes and telescopes. Bushnell Optical was granted patents for numerous inventions that made its products lighter and more precise. Bushnell Optical later moved on to working with factories in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Half of a pair of Bushnell Custom Compact binoculars served as part of the backup navigation system in a Gemini space flight.[1]
Bushnell sold his company to Bausch & Lomb (B&L) in 1971 and retired in 1974 as a vice-president of B&L. The company was renamed to Bushnell Performance Optics by B&L.[1]
Family and death
In 2005, Bushnell died of
Notes
References
- Bayot, Jennifer. "David Bushnell, 92, Importer of Affordable Binoculars, Dies", The New York Times, March 31, 2005.
- "Of Note", The Washington Post, April 7, 2005.
- Oliver, Myrna. "David Bushnell, 91; Founded Binocular Company With Products Made in Asia", Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2005.
- Buchroeder, Richard and Peter Abrahams. "David Pearsall Bushnell", Interview, October 29, 1999.