Eyeglasses have played a key role in human history from the very beginning of recorded history. Within the first thousand years of writing, glasses were already being used to correct vision. Before long, glasses were being mass produced, and eyeglasses became a common sight on the faces of people across the world.
And yet, glasses have only existed for about 300 years. How did eyeglasses come to be such an important part of our lives? And how did they become so much a part of daily life that we take them for granted now? Read on to discover the history of eyeglasses and how they have changed through the years.
Eyeglasses in Ancient Times
The first glasses may have been made from bone, tortoise shell, stone, or even animal horns. However, it was not until the middle ages that glasses were first mass-produced. In the 13th century, the first glassblowing furnace was built in Italy. By the 16th century, the technology was spread across Europe and eyeglasses became a standard item in the medical field.
The History of Eyeglasses: From Medical Devices to Fashion Statements
Eyeglasses have evolved dramatically over the centuries, from medical devices to fashionable accessories. In the 15th century, glasses were primarily used for functional purposes, such as correcting myopia (nearsightedness).
The word “myopia” comes from the Greek words “myo,” meaning “to modify,” and “opia,” meaning “to see.” Therefore, myopia literally means “to modify vision.”
By the early 1900s, myopia had been largely eliminated as a cause for vision correction. Instead, glasses were primarily used for fashion and cosmetic purposes.
The History of Eyeglasses: From the Early 1900s to Today
In the early 1900s, eyeglasses became fashionable accessories. However, their popularity as a fashion statement grew exponentially during the jazz age of the 1920s and 30s.
As a result of the increased popularity of eyeglasses as a fashion accessory, the manufacturing techniques used to make eyeglasses improved dramatically. In the early 1900s, eyeglasses were often made of wood or metal, and were hand-made.
Today, almost all eyeglasses are mass-produced and made of plastic. Moreover, eyeglasses are no longer handmade; they are produced and sold by the millions, with virtually no difference between each pair.
The Future of Eyeglasses
Despite the fact that glasses have become increasingly common over the years, there is still controversy surrounding their place in modern society. Many people feel that glasses are being worn for aesthetic purposes rather than for corrective reasons, and that they are more of a fashion accessory than a necessity.
As a result, there has been a recent trend toward eliminating the use of glasses from public schools. However, this change has raised concerns among parents, who worry that their children will not be able to read or see clearly without glasses.
In response, the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has funded several studies to further evaluate the impact of glasses removal in schools. Results from these studies have been promising; students who go without glasses are just as likely to achieve academic success as those who wear glasses.
The Bottom line
Ultimately, the decision to wear glasses or not should be based on a person’s individual needs. If you think eyeglasses would benefit your eyes, by all means, wear them. However, don’t let others decide for you whether or not glasses are necessary.
Furthermore, you can have glasses that correct your vision, and look good at the same time, without breaking the bank. In fact 95% of our frames cost less than $100, and we offer great discounts for multiple frame orders. You can see some of our frames HERE.
