History of Spectacles 1800 BC - 1289 AD
The earliest lenses were made of polished rock crystal, as discovered in the ruins of the city Nineveh in ancient Assyria 1800BC-612BC, now modern day Mosul, Iraq.
The technology of glass functioning as a magnifier was also documented by Greek philosopher Aristophanes c. 448 BC-380 BC. These early lenses, and the proceeding developments of this technology were early magnifying glasses which developed into reading stones, as used by medieval monks.
No doubt, it must have been quite inconvenient when using a piece of magnifying stone. One couldn't read to whole page at a time, and if one was writing, the act of reading at the same would have been quite a feat!
And so the need for innovation drove the invention of spectacle frames. Rather than gliding a stone across a manuscript, a lens was held in a frame in front of the eye. Early accounts show that Venetian glass blowers, who produced glass for reading stones, constructed lenses for use by one eye, probably the forerunner of the monocle.
Spectacle frames are believed to have been invented between 1268-1289.
A member of the Popozo family first wrote of glasses in 1289, stating: "I am so debilitated by age that without the glasses known as spectacles, I would no longer be able to read or write."
History of Glasses 1352 - 1400
An early artwork by di Modena in 1352, shows spectacles comprising two lenses set in a rim of wood or horn which were joined in the middle. However, the monks and scholars who used these spectacles would have found this advanced technology quite cumbersome and inconvenient, as they would have had to hold the glasses in front of their eyes for long periods of time. Although some wearers would have adopted the use of tongs like instruments to help ease hand strain, there was still no way of securing the spectacles from falling from their faces.
Major developments in spectacle evolution which followed this time were the use of frame materials like metal, steel, fish-bone and leather; as well as approaches to binding the glasses frames to head gear as used by Chinese and some European wearers.
Despite the alternatives to frame materials, these early forms of glasses were really heavy, and early attempts at adding ear-rails to secure glasses to the face only increased to their weight.
Glasses at this time appear to cater to near vision only, and specs were often the secondary treatment from physicians like Guy de Chauliac 1353, recommending collyria (a lotion for the eyes) first, and if that didn't work, glasses were referred. The prescription for collyrium were accepted practices for strengthening sight at this time.
Another influence on the development of spectacles was social status and perceptions of intelligence.
History of Spectacles 1400 - 1850
During the Middle Ages, glasses were largely worn by monks and scholars as they were the educated people of this time. So naturally, wearing spectacles signified knowledge and learning. Even famous people from this era were painted wearing glasses, as well as figures of history and biblical figures. Similar to many spectacle wearers today, glasses were a status symbol and public documents and wills make references to the careful administration of spectacles, for they were still a costly item, particularly for the upper classes who used hand-held spectacles with gold or silver frames. (If only they had access to Stingyspecs!!) The first mass production of inexpensive spectacles was largely influenced by the invention of the printing press in 1452 and the growing availability of books.
Finally, the original 'spectacle frame' with temples or arms, was invented by English optician Edward Scarlett in 1727.
In the 1760s, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals using the lenses of two pairs of spectacles cut in half and put half of each lens in one frame.
Later more advanced developments on nose pieces with springs and more rigid bridges made their appearance - allowing the specs to stay in place.
The advancements on spectacle design and technology between the 1700s and 1800s produced different types of spectacles, including small single lens glasses with decorative arms called quizzing glasses, embellished lorgnettes, and miniature spyglasses.
History of Spectacles 1900 - Present Day
Glasses frames from the 20th century up to today are identified by the frame being supported by pads on the bridge of the nose and by temples placed over the ears.
As in the past, eye wear has continued to meet vision correction and fashion needs of its wearers for both men and women of all backgrounds.
Today, glasses are also worn for eye protection in terms of safety glasses, protection from UV rays and as sportswear. Frames are still made of metals and horn, but advancements in technology have created lightweight, plastic frames and hypoallergenic frames of titanium.
While lenses were originally made from heavy glass, today they are made from various light weight plastics including CR39 (Columbian Resin 39) and polycarbonates, which have more advantageous optical properties such as scratch resistance or hard coatings. See the Spectacle Lenses ezine for more information about current lens designs.
There is a wider variety of frames available today including semi-rimless, rim- less, screw-less and hinge-less frames; as well as fashion accessories like interchangeable frames and charm huggers.
At Stingy Specs we cater for affordable frames at 'stingy' prices! We proudly design and stock our own boutique range of frames and accessories. Stingy Specs frames are designed for classic modern styling, rather than seasonal trends. This means we do not supply run-outs and past season's excess
and old stock.
With Stingy Specs frames you can easily update traditional styles while maintaining comfort and modernity at affordable prices, to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Sidebar
• Legend has it that St. Jerome (c. 340-420 AD) invented glasses.
• The Chinese claim that spectacles originated in Arabia in the 11th century.
• Nero watching gladiatorial contests with an emerald suggests that he used glasses. The emerald may well have had other uses, as a gem, as the sporting of the green colours of the Emperor, as an amulet - for emeralds had a reputation for strengthening the eye - and so on. Presumably Nero was short-sighted, but what is known about his sight rather suggests the photophobia of the albino, for which indeed he may have used green glass as a protective.
• Some ancient Roman patricians overcame vision impairment by getting a slave to read to them- not a significant contribution to the evolution of spectacles!
• In 1268 Roger Bacon made the first known scientific commentary on lenses for vision correction.
• Marco Polo, journeying to China in 1270, is said to have observed elderly Chinese using spectacles.
• Walter Bayley's Briefe Treatise touching the Preservation of the Eyesight, consisting partly in Good Order of Diet and partly in Use of Medicine, was first published in 1586. Bayley was physician to Queen Elizabeth, but his knowledge of ophthalmology extended to little beyond doubting the efficacy of urine for bathing the eye and recommending ale as strengthening the sight!
• The religious teacher Sofronius Eusebius Hieronymus (340 - 420 AD) is portrayed with a lion, a skull and a pair of reading glasses. He is the patron saint of spectacle makers.
• John Isaac Hawkins, the inventor of trifocals, coined the term bifocals in 1824 and credited Dr. Benjamin Franklin with their invention.
~~~~~~
Top of Page
