Frank Cooke

Frank Cooke (1913–2005) was an American entrepreneur who lived within, and started a high-tech optical business in North Brookfield, Massachusetts.

Education and experience Cooke graduated from Wabash College 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. Cooke authored the Optics Cooke Book, , 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 Steamer,” 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.”