Four Eyes Good: The History of Glasses

In this exploration of the evolution of corrective lenses, Josh Clark sheds light on the historical struggle of individuals with eyesight issues and the subsequent invention and development of glasses.

People have long needed vision correction, even before modern glasses were invented.

Individuals with poor eyesight, particularly nearsightedness, have struggled for millennia. Josh Clark questions what people with vision correction needs did before the advent of glasses, noting that such individuals often had to engage in work requiring detailed attention, like engraving, which made their difficulties particularly acute.

Individuals with poor eyesight, particularly nearsightedness, often struggled to function before the advent of corrective lenses, as there were no effective solutions available.

Before reading became widespread, fewer people explicitly noticed vision issues. Those with nearsightedness typically accepted their condition as one of the various human ailments, as there were no known solutions to the problem.

The earliest known attempts at vision correction involved using primitive lenses and magnifying glasses, dating back thousands of years.

While ancient civilizations such as Assyria, Greece, and Peru used lenses made from quartz and glass to start fires and perform basic tasks, these early lenses were not designed for vision correction.

Lenses made from materials like quartz and glass were used in ancient civilizations like Assyria, Greece, and Peru to start fires and perform other basic tasks, but did not provide vision correction.

Clark remarks that around 5,000 years ago, people ground quartz into lenses primarily for starting fires, with such materials and methods remaining unsuitable for correcting vision.

The concept of eyeglasses as we know them today emerged in medieval Europe, driven by the growing need for reading aids.

As the need to read and write become more prevalent, especially among monks and scholars, the concept of eyeglasses began to take shape in Europe.

Monks and other scholars who engaged in extensive reading and writing were among the first to utilize the early versions of glasses, which were often held in place by hand.

The reading stone, used to magnify texts when placed directly on a book, served as on ...

Over the centuries, eyeglasses and lens design have seen remarkable advancements that have significantly improved vision correction.

The 15th and 16th centuries saw significant progress in lens technology, including the development of concave lenses to correct nearsightedness.

It was in the 1400s that concave lenses, which enabled correction for those who could see up close but not far away, were developed. Italian and German artisans, skilled at using crown glass for lenses, were at the forefront of improving lens quality. Their grinding and polishing techniques likely played a role in the creation of these lenses. Convex lenses for farsighted individuals were introduced earlier due to the ease of making them, and evidence of concave lens use can be seen in artworks like Raphael's "Portrait of Pope Leo X and Two Cardinals."

Innovations in the 17th century, such as the addition of hinged temples and the use of higher refractive index materials, made eyeglasses more comfortable and effective.

In the 17th century, advancements such as the introduction of the bow spectacle made glasses more comfortable to wear. By adding substances like low iron potash or lead oxide to glass, its refractive index was increased, which allowed for thinner, lighter, and more comfortable lenses. Edward Scarlet, a London optician in the 1720s, invented "temples" or the arms of glasses that were held on by pressure points on the side of the head. Though the temples didn't curve downward due to the fashionable powdered wigs of the time, this innovation led to the development of frames that could be worn without constant manual support. James Ayscough later contributed to the design by adding double-hinged sides to glasses, and after that, the turnpin temple was introduced, laying the groundwork for foldable arms and adjustable fits.

The 19th century witnessed a revolution in eyeglasses, driven by the emergence of ophthalmology and the ability to precisely measure and correct vision.

The 19th cen ...

Throughout history, the social and cultural perceptions of wearing glasses have been complex and often paradoxical, intertwined with notions of social status, intelligence, and fashion.

Throughout history, there has been a complex and often paradoxical relationship between glasses and social status or perceived intelligence.

Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark discuss the historical associations tied to glasses, ranging from a symbol of deficiency to an emblem of intellect. During the medieval era, glasses carried diverse social connotations, including being a fashion statement, a sign of correction for a disability, or an indicator of wealth. Notably, glasses could enhance or detract from the scholarly nature or coolness of an individual in Renaissance art.

In some cases, glasses were seen as a mark of wealth and scholarly pursuits, while in others they were viewed as a sign of deficiency or weakness.

Bryant describes a shift in the perception of glasses, acknowledging that while they were once deemed uncool, by his high school years they had grown into an aspect of a trendy, preppy image. Indeed, he confesses to wearing fake glasses merely as a style accessory. Clark agrees, recognizing that glasses historically vacillated between being a symbol of vulnerability and a signal of intelligence—a tension that has largely relaxed, thanks in part to cultural icons transforming glasses into a fashionable accessory.

The introduction of new styles and materials, such as the thick-framed "Martin's Margins" in the 17th century, helped to shift the perception of glasses from utilitarian to fashionable.

A pivotal moment in the evolution of glasses from mere vision aids to fashion items came with the creation of "Martin's Margins," named after Benjamin Martin. These glasses featured significantly thick frames intended to restrict peripheral light. Originally mocked for their unattractiveness, they gradually claimed a fashionable status as more people began to wear them.

The use of glasses by prominent figures, like Napoleon, also contributed to the evolving social attitudes towards vision correction.

Noteworthy figures played a part in shaping social attitudes toward glasses. Napoleon, for one, needed glasses but refrained from wearing them out of fear of looking weak. His avoidance of glasses earned him a reputation for being clumsy due to frequent tripping.

The 20th ...

Eyeglass technology has made significant strides over the past century, providing those with visual impairments with more durable, versatile, and convenient options for vision correction.

The development of plastic lenses in the 20th century marked a significant advancement, offering increased durability, scratch resistance, and versatility in lens design.

The introduction of photochromic (transition) lenses, which automatically adjust to changing light conditions, was a notable innovation in this period.

The podcast mentions the concept of glasses that change from clear to dark when going outside, known as photochromic or transition lenses, which the host describes as magical. These lenses have been around since the 1960s. Transitions, a brand name, has become synonymous with photochromic lenses themselves. These lenses feature special dyes that adjust their molecular configuration in response to UV light to darken the lenses outdoors, then revert to a transparent state indoors, away from UV light exposure.

Bifocal and progressive lenses, which allow for clear vision at multiple distances, were major breakthroughs in the evolution of corrective eyewear.

The invention of bifocals is credited to Ben Franklin in the late 1700s. In a letter, he described having a glassmaker cut two different sets of glasses in half to create one pair with both prescriptions, allowing him to see both his food and the people at the dinner party at the same time without changing eyeglasses.

These multifocal lens technologies provided users with a more seamless and convenient vision correction solution.

Progressive lenses, introduced in 1959, offer a modern take on multifocals. They allow for clear vision at distant, mid, and near ranges without any visib ...