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The lathe is the oldest and most important machine tool, on which most other machines and instruments can be made.

This is a fine example of the nineteenth century English lathe designed for making precision components, tools and instruments. The lathe is driven by a treadle, a 'foot motor', and with accessories it can turn ellipses as well as cylinders, cut gear wheels and perform all manner of other work.

The lathe was made by Thomas Cooke and Sons whose main business was the manufacture of telescopes. The firm was one of the first to make optical instruments using factory methods, and expanded their production to surveying and scientific instruments used to examine the world in a period of colonial expansion.

The firm made their own manufacturing tools, and as entrepreneurs in a time of industrial expansion, it was natural for them to market these too.

The lathe was saved from the back of a scrap merchant's wagon in the early years of the Second World War. It had reputedly been brought from the Admiralty Building where one presumes it was used to make or repair whatever was demanded by the officers.