A Classic rags to riches story. Thomas Cooke would become one of the greatest telescope makers of all time. He made York one of the optical instrumnet centres of the world. He built in 1869 what was the biggest telescope in the world. He evn made a telescope for Prince Albert.

Cooke lenses are still used todayand many classic films such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings were filmed using Cooke Lenses.