Frank Cooke
Encyclopedia
Frank Cooke was an American entrepreneur who lived within, and started a high-tech optical business in North Brookfield, Massachusetts
. He was born in 1913 and died at the age of 92 in 2005.
with a degree in English. He had no formal education in the optical business that he founded. He discouraged the use of mathematics and, instead, developed precision optical measurement methods. During World War II
, Cooke worked for Polaroid
's Edwin Land, obtaining much on-the-job experience. Eventually he ran Polaroid's wartime optical department.
's Galileo probe, and the Hubble telescope. Cooke authored the Optics Cooke Book, ISBN 155752212X, published by the Optical Society of America. It is considered by many to be the Optics Industry "bible."
,” which he would occasionally ride around North Brookfield
. Cooke spent much of his free time at his “Vintage Garage,” restoring antique automobiles. He called this, “worshiping old iron.” Upon his death, Cooke's collection of unique automobiles was sold and the Vintage Garage was moved to Stowe, Vermont
.
North Brookfield, Massachusetts
North Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,680 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place North Brookfield, please see the article North Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :North Brookfield...
. He was born in 1913 and died at the age of 92 in 2005.
Education and experience
Cooke graduated from Wabash CollegeWabash College
Wabash College is a small, private, liberal arts college for men, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Morehouse College, Wabash is one of only three remaining traditional all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.-History:Wabash College was founded...
with a degree in English. He had no formal education in the optical business that he founded. He discouraged the use of mathematics and, instead, developed precision optical measurement methods. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Cooke worked for Polaroid
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
's Edwin Land, obtaining much on-the-job experience. Eventually he ran Polaroid's wartime optical department.
Frank Cooke Optics
His company, Frank Cooke Optics, specialized in the optical work that many other companies turned down because of its complexity or precision. To handle the tedious and difficult work, Cooke hired mostly women because he thought that they were more skillful than men were. Work was scheduled so that the women could work during the time that their children were in school. Once Cooke started his company, he became known worldwide as an expert in the field of optical engineering and optics technology. His company specialized in space optics, which included work on NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Galileo probe, and the Hubble telescope. Cooke authored the Optics Cooke Book, ISBN 155752212X, published by the Optical Society of America. It is considered by many to be the Optics Industry "bible."
Automobile collection
To those not in the optical field, Cooke was best known for his antique automobile collection, which included vehicles such as the “Stanley SteamerStanley Steamer
The Stanley Motor Carriage Company was a manufacturer of steam-engine vehicles; it operated from 1902 to 1924. The cars made by the company were colloquially called Stanley Steamers, although several different models were produced.-Early history:...
,” which he would occasionally ride around North Brookfield
North Brookfield, Massachusetts
North Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,680 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place North Brookfield, please see the article North Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :North Brookfield...
. Cooke spent much of his free time at his “Vintage Garage,” restoring antique automobiles. He called this, “worshiping old iron.” Upon his death, Cooke's collection of unique automobiles was sold and the Vintage Garage was moved to Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
.