Seymour W. Duncan founded his guitar pickup making company in 1978, in Santa Barbera. California. Born in New Jersey in 1951, Seymour moved to London in the late 1960s. While working at  Repair and R&D Departments at the Fender Soundhouse in London he repaired and rewound pickups for English guitar players including Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, and Peter Frampton. On founding his company Duncan initially offered custom Stratocaster, Telecaster, and humbucking pickups. The product line has expanded over the years to a wide variety of electric, bass, and acoustic guitar pickups; guitar effects pedals and guitar accessories.

Source: Seymour Duncan website (17 June 2022)