The surprising origin story of sunglasses
A good pair of sunglasses is a must in heavy summers. Why? Because they will protect you from the strong UV rays of the sun. Well, that is what it is now. But this was not the reason why they were invented in the first place. At the time of invention, they had a very different purpose to serve. Actually, they came into being to obscure the eyes of the judges in courts so that no one could determine their expressions.
When were sunglasses born?
Sunglasses were first innovated in China during the 12th century.
The first sunglasses were made from flat panes of smoky quartz called Ai Tai, meaning 'dark clouds'. Though they offered no corrective powers, they did protect the eyes from glare.
But were they also a piece of fashion statement or an ongoing trend? Were they invented for vision or protection from the sun? Actually, neither of these was the purpose behind their launch. These crystal sunglasses were used by judges in ancient Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.
Evolution of sunglasses
Sometime later in history, they were used to protect the eyes while horse riding in the snow against the glare coming from the snow. In the 18th century, tainted mirror-like framed Murano glasses were used as so-called 'gondola glasses' by Venician women and children, to shield their eyes from the glare of the water in the canals. The first sunglasses made for the public came to light in the 18th century, when English designer and inventor James Ayscough created eyeglasses with blue or green tints. These tints, he claimed, could improve vision.
When did modern sunglasses come into being?
However, it wasn't until the 20th century that modern sunglasses, as we know them today, were invented. Inexpensive sunglasses made from celluloid for masses were first produced by Sam Foster (the Austrian immigrant who founded the American eyewear brand, Foster Grant) in 1929. Foster found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey where he began selling sunglasses under the name Foster Grant and it soon became a hot fashion item.
A few years later, Bausch & Lomb, a Canada-based eye health giant, also joined the trend when it began making sunglasses for American military aviators. These were initially launched to reduce headaches caused by glare at high altitudes.
Fun fact: There is a National Sunglasses Day celebrated in the US on 27th June.