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Shady Origins

The Bright Idea Behind Sunglasses

Shady Origins

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The origins of sunglasses date back much further than you might expect. Long before they were a fashion statement, sunglasses had a practical purpose. In ancient China, around the 12th century, judges wore flat pieces of smoky quartz over their eyes. These rudimentary shades didn’t block UV rays, but they did hide the judges' facial expressions, making it harder for anyone to read their reactions during court proceedings.


In a different part of the world, the Inuit people crafted snow goggles made of flattened walrus ivory with small slits, helping to reduce the sun's harsh glare off the snow. Though they weren’t technically sunglasses, these goggles were an early attempt at protecting the eyes from intense light.


It wasn’t until the 18th century that a more recognizable form of sunglasses came into play. An Englishman named James Ayscough experimented with tinted lenses, believing that blue or green glass could correct vision impairments. However, they still weren’t intended for sun protection.


Sunglasses as we know them emerged in the 20th century, when they were popularized by Hollywood stars in the 1920s and '30s. As celebrities began sporting them, sunglasses became synonymous with glamour and style. It was around this time that Sam Foster, an entrepreneur in the U.S., began mass-producing affordable sunglasses under the brand Foster Grant, making them widely accessible. With the added benefit of shielding eyes from harmful UV rays, sunglasses quickly transformed from quirky tools to must-have accessories.

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