THERE are over four billion adults around the world who wear glasses, and they certainly have someone to thank for making such a discovery that is helping people with vision problems see better.
Here everything revolves around the invention of glasses.
When were glasses invented?
The very first wearable glasses were invented in Italy in the 13th century.
The lenses were fitted into frames made of wood or leather, and occasionally even animal horns.
They were formerly used primarily by monks, and many Renaissance works of art see many scholars holding or wearing a frame.
Over time, technology has helped advance eyewear and improve the material from which frames and lenses are made.
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During this period, eyeglasses were mainly provided to the wealthy, and they represented intelligence and wealth, something poor people lacked due to poor living conditions.
The creation spread across Europe and a further development was made in the 17th century when ‘hands-free’ glasses with temples extending over the ears were created.
Who invented glasses?
The person who first invented glasses is unknown, but it is known that the Romans were the first to make such a discovery.
They discovered how glasses helped them read small text, so they created small magnifying glasses with balls to help them read.
However, over time, people began to document those who noticeably advanced this invention.
Benjamin Martin, an instrument maker from London, created the glasses known as Martin’s Margins.
The rings around the lens were black to protect wearers from excess light and to help improve their vision.
Benjamin Franklin was the one who invented the bifocal lens, which helped people with nearsightedness and farsightedness to wear one pair of glasses instead of two.
Glasses manufacturers and different countries kept experimenting with lenses and colors to make even better glasses than we have today.
When were bifocal glasses invented?
As we’ve said before, Benjamin Franklin developed the bifocal lens, but we don’t have an exact date as to when he did so.
There is, however, a later one, dated August 1784, which he sent to his friend George Whatley, stating that he was ‘happy at the invention of double spectacles, serving for objects both distant and near, and so useful to my eyes.’ makes me like they always were.”
These lenses are split in half, the top half is for distance and the bottom half is for reading.
These types of glasses are primarily prescribed for people suffering from presbyopia – which Franklin himself suffered from – which is the eye’s primary age-related inability to focus on nearby objects, and which is popular among people in their mid-40s and continues to be deteriorating up to the age of at least 65 years.
There are other types of lenses that are made for people with different needs.
single vision lenses
Single vision lenses are intended for single use by people suffering from either farsightedness or nearsightedness.
The same recipe applies to the entire lens.
Trifocal lenses
These lenses go another level from bifocals.
Aside from having part of the lens for distance and another for near, it also has a center part that helps the wearer see at an intermediate distance, which is equivalent to an arm’s length.
These were developed by John Isaac Hawkins in 1827.
Polarized lenses
These lenses help block some of the light that comes through the lens, especially sunlight.
They have a chemical applied to them that filters light, and you’ll see that they darken when too much light shines through them, much like sunglasses.
These are mainly prescribed when working outdoors to protect the eyes from the sun and when working in the snow.
Snow can cause glare, which can also damage your eyes.
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When were glasses invented? | The US sun