Canty is an outgrowth of the consulting practice of John M. Canty, P.E. in designing a very deep high pressure Diving Research Facility, capable of simulating ocean depths of over a mile, he found that no lighting components were available which would withstand the required pressure of 2500 PSI. It was, therefore, necessary to develop a light that would permit illuminating the chamber at these unusual conditions. Since this vessel (now installed in the high pressure laboratory of the University at Buffalo-Department of Physiology) was to be used for manned experiments, it was desirable to keep the electrical components outside. This is due to the potential fire hazard of electrical sparks in a confined environment.

This led to the development of a new type of Hyperbaric Chamber Light. The development was registered and eventually a patent was issued in 1974 for the basic concept of a fiber optical material transmitting energy through a barrier with a pressure seal.

Canty was established in 1971 as a sole proprietorship to market this item because of the obvious application to recompression chambers for offshore diving and for hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

Initial sales were occasioned by "word of mouth" advertising. Growth was constant but modest for the first two years. This time was spent designing a complete product line completing engineering drawings and product specifications and in testing and improving the optical systems (light source and light pipe). The present model HYL 250 was refined to its present form by mid-1973 and additional marketing was sought.

Canty was incorporated in the state of New York January 1, 1977. We have continued to expand our company into different markets and products. Currently, we manufacture lighting, cameras, sight flow indicators, quick opening closures, glass to metal seals, vision-based process control, and particles sizing systems.

This product line helped us to diversify across different industries and market places. With this diversification in markets, we have retained a common manufacturing base between all of our products.