After serving in Europe during the second world war, Thomas Cave (1923-2003 returned to his home in Long Beach,California and enrolled in USC, where he majored in optical engineering. In 1950, six credits short of his degree, Tom left school began the Cave Optical Company out of his garage in Long Beach.
Tom Cave's first telescope in 1937
Although the company pioneered the mass production of telescopes, Cave Optical became known for the quality of their mirrors and the overall quality of the telescopes and mounts. Their reputation led to the production of observatory class telescopes and government contracts. Over the years they produced several mirrors for NASA, the largest having a 75cm diameter. Cave Optical also produced Cassegrain optics, and they ground and polished primary mirrors for Questar Maksutovs. Over a period of thirty years Cave Optical would produce over 83,000 mirrors and 15,000 complete telescopes.
But now, twenty-five years after the Cave Optical Company closed its doors, they are still remembered for the quality of their smaller scopes, the Cave Astrolas, which are still used and highly valued among planetary observers today. Tom Cave was himself a planetary observer throughout his life. His drawings and written observations of various Mars oppositions were published many times. His personal preferences were reflected in his company's products. Despite all of the big contracts, Cave Optical's main focus was always the production of medium to large aperture, long focus Newtonian reflectors for amateur and professional astronomers.
Thanks to Rolando Chavez for this image of his beautifully restored 12.5" 1976 Cave Astrola. It is mounted on a Parks Optical EQ.
Seventies ad for a 10" Cave Astrola.