Excerpt from http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1960_1969/fulltext/025c03.pdf

"The Lucas business was founded in Birmingham in 1872 by Joseph
Lucas, trading with his son Harry Lucas as Joseph Lucas & Son, for the
manufacture of pressed metal goods, including ship, coach and carriage
lamps. Later, the firm developed the manufacture of oil lamps, bells and
other items for supply to the expanding cycle industry which was concentrated
mainly in the West Midlands. In 1897 a public company, Joseph Lucas
Ltd., was formed with a nominal share capital of £225,000 to take over the
Lucas business. Supply by the company to the motor industry of nonelectrical
goods began about 1902, and was followed a few years later by
the company's entry into the electrical field with the manufacture of car
batteries and dynamos, and lighting sets for sale to car owners."