1793 - Mintons Ltd founded by Thomas Minton. The company, based in Stoke, England, produced a variety of ceramic products; by the 1950s - company had merged with Royal Doulton; by the 1980s - company was only producing a few different pieces. 2008 - although the factory was recently demolished, specialized bone china tableware continues to be produced by Royal Doulton under the Minton name.