Sunglasses through the Ages
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Sunglasses have a long and diverse history. It was believed that the first form of these glasses was used by Inuits to reduce the glare of the sun. They carved glasses out of walrus tusks and the design featured a thin slit through which the wearer would lookout. Even from that ancient time it was acknowledged that the glare of the sun off the snow and ice was blinding. They have since switched to modern glasses. In the 1100s Chinese judges used to wear shades to obscure their reflexes and expressions from others during trials. The lenses were made of smoky quartz ad were very effective.
In the1400s the Chinese learnt of the vision correcting quality of glasses from visiting Italians and added their own skills of making the glass tinted. In the 18th century an optician by the name of James Ayscough experimented with tint to create blue and green coloured lenses. He believed they would offer some relief for certain eye problems. These experiments are believed to have been the precursors to sunglasses even though they were not being designed to offer protection from the suns UV rays.
In the early 19th century, yellow and brown coloured glasses (or briller as we Danes call them) were created to help people suffering from light sensitivity which was one of the symptoms of ailments like syphilis. The early 20th century saw an upsurge in the popularity of sunglasses (we Danes call them solbriller) as film stars took to wearing them while out and about. They were often photographed wearing them raising their popularity with the general public who emulated and admired these stars. It is accepted that these film stars wore the glasses to hide the effects of having to work under glaring lamplights when filming films. Apparently their eyes would become red and puffy. They also wore them to lessen the effect of flash bulbs from paparazzi cameras. Over time photography equipment became more advanced and the less artificial lighting was required. Today’s stars still wear these glasses although it is often seen as an attempt to disguise their identities when mingling with the public or hiding the effects of late night partying.
The first mass producer of sunglasses was Sam Foster who in 1929 went to the Jersey Shore and displayed his product at Woolworth’s. He found an excellent client base in the beachgoers there. The glasses were inexpensive and gained a popular following that has lasted to this day. The brand name for these sunglasses is Foster Grant. In the thirties the army commissioned the creation of sunglasses that would help reduce the glare of high altitude flying. Ray Ban aviator glasses thus came into being. They took advantage of the polarized lenses invented by Edwin H. Land in 1936. Today similar developments have been made to help other people susceptible to the same glare when on the open sea or in snowed areas. Wearing shades has become a matter of public concern currently due to the established harmful effects of the sun’s ultra violet rays. People are advised to ensure they cover themselves adequately to reduce the risk of eye and skin damage from the UV light.
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