Ever wonder how those fashionable sunnies of yours came to be? Sunglasses have evolved since the beginning of time. Here is a look into the evolution of sunglasses, from prehistoric times.
It dates as far back as the Eskimo days – when Inuit snow goggles were invented to prevent snow blindness for eskimos. The goggles are traditionally made of a piece of bone or ivory pierced with slits but new ones may be made with wood. The goggles fit tightly around the eyes as to only let light in through the small slits.
Next, around 64 AD, it appears that the Roman emperor Nero used actual emerald stones as sunglasses to watch gladiators fight. It is likely that Nero used the emerald because of its green color, which filtered the sunlight.
In the 12th century, the Chinese invented a new kind of sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare. These shades were made from flat panes of smoky quartz. Sun protection isn’t all these sunglasses provided. Judges in ancient Chinese courts used them to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses… aka The Poker Face.
Following this, English optician James Ayscough began to experiment with tinted glasses as a means or correcting specific eye impairments. However, this was the beginning of sunglasses as we know them.
By the 1900’s sunglasses began to go commercial. It was especially prevalent in movie stars. It is believed that this was to avoid recognition by fans. Another common belief is that actors and actresses has red eyes from powerful arc lamps that were used on set at the time.
By 1929, the first pair of Foster Grant sunglasses were sold… the rest is history.