Since I just love Fisher metal detectors and have become quite brand loyal, I wanted to learn more about this company. I knew my Fisher F75 metal detector worked great for beach trolling and coin shooting, but I like to know all about the company I keep. Plus, I am as much a history buff as I am a treasure hunter. So here is what I learned:
Dr. Gerhard Fisher was a German immigrant who studied electronics in the late 1920's. He went on to serve as a Research Engineer in Los Angeles, eventually working with none other than Albert Einstein. Fisher obtained the first patent ever issued on aircraft radio direction finders. While working with Fisher's equipment, Einstein predicted that there would be worldwide use of his radio direction finders in the air, as well as on land and sea.
The increasing use of the direction finders led to the development of the first portable prospecting instrument using the same principles to detect buried metals and minerals. Fisher explored this further and ultimately founded Fisher Research Laboratory in 1931. (He actually started making Fisher metal detectors out of his garage-you gotta just love that!)
The first metal detector he created was pretty rugged, a far cry from the sleek Fisher F2 metal detector or Fisher F4 metal detector so many love today. This first model was called the "Metallascope" and it was constructed using two large flat wooden boxes housing simply copper coils, vacuum tubes, and other components. But, even as rough as it was, it was still pretty simple to use and treasure hunting as a hobby started catching on.
1936, just five short years later, Fisher Research Laboratory outgrew the garage and relocated. Around the same time, the "Metallascope" or M-Scope was granted a patent. M-Scope soon became the accepted nickname for all types of metal detection-for geologists, utility companies, law enforcement, and hobbyists. In 1939, they had to move again to accommodate growth.
The growth phases of Fisher metal detectors were largely due to work with the US military, first with the Navy, then for assistance during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Fisher managed to work with the government and also stake his claim in the private sector for ultimate success. Working as such, he was able to make great strides in innovation before his patent ran out. Fisher metal detectors continued to get more advanced and sophisticated, while they also produced other instruments, like geiger counters, radio communication systems, voltage detectors and cable fault locators.
In 1961, yes, you guessed it-they moved again to accommodate growth. In 1967, Dr. Fisher retired. But the company grew and continued to move several more times until it was acquired by First Texas Products in 2006. But, because of their recognized name, synonymous with quality, Fisher Labs is still used.
I really liked this story and though others who love Fisher Labs and their products as much as I do might enjoy a little history for today.
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