The first issue was introduced by J. J. Thomson, then president of the Institute of Physics, who stated that no publication existed at that time in the English language specially devoted to scientific instruments. The idea for the journal was promoted by Richard Glazebrook, the first president, then director, of the National Physical Laboratory, where the journal was initially edited.
The initial issue of the journal was proposed by J.J. Thomson, who was president of the Institute of Physics, who stated that no English-language publication existed specifically dedicated to scientific instruments at that time. Richard Glazebrook, the first president and then director of the National Physical Laboratory, promoted the idea for the journal, which was initially edited there.