Most people know that sunglasses are a big part of the fashion industry today. But what is the real story?
The origin can be traced back to ancient civilizations where hunters and gatherers used a type of sunglasses to protect themselves from reflections on water and snow. The protection was not achieved through a tinted lens but by creating a narrow frame out of wood or bone.
In the 12th century (and perhaps even earlier), thinly cut brown quartz was worn by Chinese judges to conceal their identities. Although the sunglasses did not provide any UV protection, they did offer them the opportunity to conceal their emotions in front of their witnesses.
Another model was used by actors in ancient Rome. Smoky quartz allowed actors to reduce the risk of being dazzled on stage. It is also said that Emperor Nero used the same shape as early sunglasses to better see gladiators fighting.
In 1753, English optician James Ayscough began experimenting with blue and green lenses. He was determined that these colors had the potential to correct specific vision impairments.
Amber-tinted glasses were also common among people with syphilis during the 19th and early 20th centuries because one of the symptoms of the disease was photosensitivity.
It was at the beginning of the 20th century that sunglasses became increasingly common among people, but especially among Hollywood stars. Actors and movie stars wore them to protect themselves from the bright stage lights like their Roman predecessors, but also from strong camera flashes.
The growing popularity of sunglasses spread faster and faster as people wanted to look like their role models and Icons.
Through simplified mass production, demand exploded when Sam Foster introduced his sunglasses to the beaches of Atlantic City and New Jersey. He did this under the name Foster Grant. Foster Grant were made of plastic to protect the eyes from the sun's rays.
A few years later, in 1936, Edwin H. Land invented the first polarized sunglasses by using his patented Polaroid filter in the manufacturing of his glasses. Polarization greatly reduces glare and reflections. This made sunglasses even more popular among people who engage in outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and skiing.
Sunglasses also played a significant role during World War II, when Ray Ban created the Aviator model with anti-glare using polarization, making it one of the most popular models to this day.
Nowadays, sunglasses have become more than just protection, but also an important accessory. Frames come in all sorts of materials and shapes, and UV protection and polarization almost an industry standard.
With us at Wear Walters Eyewear we are taking a stand for sustainable alternatives in the form of wood and acetate teaProtect your eyes and the planet with our eco-friendly sunglasses.
If you want to know more about the different materials we use, you can find them in the link below.
Wear Walters Material.