James Ayscough

James Ayscough (born 1720, died 1759) was an English optician and designer and maker of scientific instruments.

Around the year 1752, James Ayscough introduced spectacles with double-hinged side pieces.

Initially barometric pressures were read to one-tenth of an inch, but that soon changed to 1/100, suggesting that he made his own instrument.

His published register attracted the attention of George Smith near Carlisle, who began to contribute a matching record for Cumberland.

This continued until Ayscough's death in 1759; his last entry in his record at London (Clerkenwell) was 23 August 1759.