Taylor-Hobson
Taylor-Hobson are lens and precision instrument manufacturers based in Leicester, England.
The company was founded in 1886 by engineer William & optician Thomas Smithies Taylor.
In 1893 they produced their first Cooke lenses, designed by H. Dennis Taylor (no relation to the company founders) - optics manager of T. Cooke & Sons, York. Taylor was attempting to eliminate the aberrations at the outer edge of lenses, and in 1893 patented the Cooke triplet design (British patent no. 1991)[1].
By 1939, Taylor-Hobson claim to be producing over 80% of lenses for film studios[2].
The company still exists, making lenses, bearings, instruments and medical replacement joints - among other precision items[3]. The separate lens company, Cooke Optics, also still exists.
William Taylor was also responsible for testing golf balls in a wind tunnel, and developing a dimpled golf ball[4].
Taylor-Hobson Lenses
- Apotal
- Cooke triplet
- Ental
