The WCSIM promotes the craft of scientific instrument making and the exchange of ideas and information by members and guests through meetings, visits, lectures and social events.

The members, Liverymen, are all linked with scientific instruments in some way. The Company advances the craft through traditional apprenticeships supervised by Liverymen, and through its educational trust fund supports technology in schools, provides undergraduate scholarships and research fellowships.

Formation of the livery

The Guild was formed in October 1955 by members of the Industry and with the support of the Clockmakers and the Spectacle Makers Companies, to foster scientific instrument making and to promote goodwill in the science and craft of measurement and instrumentation. One of the founder firms at that time was known to date back to 1640. Grant of Arms was achieved in 1956 and the Letters Patent as a Livery Company of City of London were granted in 1963.