Seeing someone wearing eyeglasses today is as common as seeing someone wearing a scarf in winter. Glasses are a tool that provides the vision to most people, regardless of prescription or eye shape.

The development of eyeglasses as a treatment for common vision defects took centuries and many brilliant innovators paved the way for the perfect vision you enjoy today. Have you ever wondered about the main technology behind glasses? Below is a glimpse into the history that now allows millions of people to read, drive, perform surgery and shoot accurately.

The first inventor of wearable glasses is unknown. However, the Romans first discovered the use of glass to enhance their ability to see small writing, creating small magnifying glasses with spheres.

The first known pair of wearable glasses appeared in Italy in the 13th century. Raw glass-blown lenses are placed into wooden or leather frames (or occasionally, frames made of animal horn) and then placed in front of the face or perched on the nose. Primarily used by monks, these grew in popularity and the technique improved during the Renaissance.

Artwork remains the best evidence of the existence of these glasses, as early Renaissance paintings sometimes depict scholars using hand-held frames or perch-style glasses.

Glassblowers will manufacture lenses of different thicknesses based on basic vision tests. As these glasses became more popular, Italian creations spread throughout Europe, mainly for the wealthy. Because scholarship was a prized attribute during the Renaissance, spectacles were a status symbol of wisdom and prosperity.

The technology may have been stagnant for centuries, as the next clear picture of the history of glasses came in the 1700s. The glasses become "hands-free" as the temples extend above the ears.

Perhaps the most famous of these more modern glasses include "Martin's Margins," glasses developed by inventor Benjamin Martin. These glasses are sold as collectibles today, but they pioneered the pursuit of more precise lens development and thinner lenses supported by durable frames.

After the "ear-hook" innovation, new developments in eyewear began to accelerate. Benjamin Franklin increased the versatility of eyeglasses by inventing bifocal lenses, which allowed people with nearsightedness and farsightedness to use one pair of glasses instead of two. At first, he did this by cutting the lenses in half and placing them in a frame.

Another style that stood out during this period was "scissor glasses". These glasses can be pocketed and taken out when you need to see something important. Some men don't like wearing glasses full-time, so the answer: is pocket glasses that fold on hinge-like scissors.

As the 19th century dawned, eyeglasses were still handmade and not available to everyone. But the Industrial Revolution was just around the corner, and the mass production of frames and lenses made it easier for working men and women to obtain the necessary eye corrections.

Special cylindrical lenses for correcting astigmatism were also introduced in the early 1800s.

In the 1800s, as lens technology and accurate prescriptions became more affordable, the 1900s saw a trend to make eyeglasses fashionable and fashionable. For those who want their glasses to match their face shape, eye color, or clothing, frames are available in different shapes, materials, and colors.

For example, Theodore Roosevelt wore pince-nez glasses, which had no earpieces but were held in place with a nose clip. These glasses were very popular in the early part of the century but became obsolete with the association with older generations.

Most notably, styles have changed due to the availability and development of strong plastics. It is no longer necessary to make all your glasses out of wood, metal or horn frames. Plastic can be molded into many shapes and sizes.

The 20th century also saw the rise of sunglasses. Although sunglasses were first invented in China in the 12th century, they were not intended for vision or sun protection. Instead, they are used to cover the eyes of judges in court so no one can be sure of their expressions.

Other eyeglass makers have tried tinted lenses, but these aren't for protection either. It wasn't until the 1900s that tinted sunglasses began to be used for light sensitivity caused by medical conditions. The fad went beyond medical applications and starting in 1929, sunglasses were mass-produced for sun protection and glare reduction.

Finally, in the 1980s came plastic lenses. These are less breakable, and they can be lighter and thinner than their glass predecessors. Modern technology continues to improve glasses with protective coatings that reduce glare and UV rays.

Your glasses are the result of hundreds of years of innovative technology. For more information on finding the right glasses for you, please contact us.

ZOHO Eyewear is a professional custom eyewear manufacturer. Mainly deals in frames, lenses, sunglasses, reading glasses, contact lenses, and eyeglass accessories, which are in stock and can also be customized by OEM/ODM. We have a first-class top-level glasses design team, a professional foreign trade service team, and rich supplier resources, which can meet customers' one-stop procurement and customization needs.