Have you ever wondered how sunglasses came to be what they are today? With a history that dates back to 12th century China, the sunglasses’ purposes have evolved markedly since their inception. With the aid of modern technology, humans have advanced from holding green gems to their eyes in an effort to observe gladiator events more comfortably, to admiring the style of reality television celebrities in glamorous oversized frames. From function to fashion – read on for sunglasses’ journey through history.
60 A.D. Roman emperor Nero observed gladiatorial combat through polished emerald-green gemstones, which functioned to reduce the sun’s glare.
1300 Chinese judges wore smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal their eye expressions in court as it was important to keep thoughts and opinions secret until the end of each trial.
1352 Tommaso da Modena painted what would be the first recorded evidence of the use of sunglasses in Italy. In his case, accessory symbolized respect and wisdom.
1430 The first vision correcting prescription glasses were introduced in Italy.
c. 1600 The concave lens was developed.
1730 Edward Scarlett invented solid sidepieces, which addressed the predicament of how to keep glasses from falling off.
1750 James Ayscough experimented with tinted lenses, drawing the conclusion that blue-green-tinted glass could correct specific vision impairments.
1780 Benjamin Franklin invented the first bifocal lens, called the “Franklin Split” bifocal, which enabled presbyopic patients to read and view distance through the same lens.
1929 Sam Foster sold the first pair of Foster Grant sunglasses on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, discovering a ready market for sunglasses.
c. 1930 Army Air Corps commissioned optical firm Bausch & Lomb to generate a highly effective spectacle that would protect pilots from the dangers of high-altitude glare.
1936 Sunglasses polarization was developed by Edwin H. Land. Ray Ban released anti-glare, polarized “aviator” style sunglasses. Aviators received the model sunglasses free of charge.
1937 Ray-Ban’s new protective aviator sunglasses became available for purchase by the general public.
1953 The wayfarer style, cited as the best-selling sunglasses design in history, was born.
1960 Foster Grant’s celebrity-laden “Who’s That Behind Those Foster Grants?” advertising campaign heightens sunglasses’ popularity.
c. 1970 Sunglasses are solidified as a fashion item when well-known fashion designers, musicians and Hollywood stars escalated the sunglass craze. The sunglasses industry finds its footing in this decade.
2002 SunglassWarehouse.com went live!
2004 Oakley developed Thump, a sunglasses model which features a built-in digital audio player.
Resources on the History of Sunglasses:
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