Is there a written history of British/European Telescope manufacturing?

[AndyH]

After finding and posting up the history of Tal telescopes, it got me wondering if there has ever been something similar-ish done for the UK and europe wide?

 I can remember the days when after buying the lastest issue of Astronomy Now, leafing through the adverts and sending off a stamped addressed envelope for the latest catalogue/price lists. Yes, you young yins, there was no internet ?

I'd love to read about the companies and more often the individuals who made all sorts of stuff. What was produced etc. Same goes for europe. Germany.. There must have been more than the two Zeis companies? France - All I can think of are those expensive eyepieces from Clave of Paris. The Low Countries? etc etc etc........

 

Cheers, Andy

[Peter Drew]

I'm proud to have been part of it.   ?

[DRT]

23 minutes ago, Peter Drew said:

I'm proud to have been part of it.   ?

So when can we expect to see the book, Peter?  

[Peter Drew]

I could probably contribute a page.   ?

[andrew s]

If you go on Amazon and search telescope history you will find some books but not exactly what you asked for. There is a history of Grubb  for example.

Regards Andrew

[DAVE AMENDALL]

Hi, This book contains history of UK telescope engineering and is an excellent starting point for further research...Dave

[Mark at Beaufort]

You will find some history on this website - http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/BrayObsWebSite/HOMEPAGE/Admin.html

[RobertI]

4 hours ago, DAVE AMENDALL said:

Hi, This book contains history of UK telescope engineering and is an excellent starting point for further research...Dave

I also have this lovely little book. It is also available to read on-line in an archive (can't remeber where). There is a big chapter on WW2 optics, which I guess were common place at the time, and is still part of the history of optics and atstronomy in the UK. Apparently, an anti-missile gun sighting scope, which comprised a wideangle scope for spotting missiles, coupled to a high powered scope for sighting the gun, made a perfect astronomy scope+finder combo!

[Davey-T]

12 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Apparently, an anti-missile gun sighting scope, which comprised a wideangle scope for spotting missiles, coupled to a high powered scope for sighting the gun, made a perfect astronomy scope+finder combo!

I can imagine ack ack gunners whiling away the hours stargazing, in a blackout to boot, I guess there were some compensations.

Dave

[Gina]

I would prefer a good image for one DSO a night (or maybe several nights) than many pretty much rubbish shots!

[DAVE AMENDALL]

There are also several copies of  Franks Book of the Telescope on Amazon for as little as £1 hardback version....Dave

[John]

23 hours ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

You will find some history on this website - http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/BrayObsWebSite/HOMEPAGE/Admin.html

Yes, but with some bias as well I feel !

[Peter Drew]

2 minutes ago, John said:

Yes, but with some bias as well I feel !

Some?    ?

[DAVE AMENDALL]

Of course if you had not read it you wouldn't know  if there was bias or not

[Peter Drew]

I have read it and know Chris well personally.    ?

[LukeSkywatcher]

Telescope was invented by a Dutch guy.....................Hans Lippershey,  in about 1608

[DAVE AMENDALL]

Hans  and not Galileo then. Perhaps two guys invented the Binos...............