Sunglasses have been around for thousands of years. The Egyptians were the first to use them, but they weren't made of clear lenses; instead, they were made from polished metal or stone. Sunglasses became popular during the Roman Empire and rose in popularity again during the Renaissance era. By the 1920s and 1930s, sunglasses had become a part of Hollywood's golden age—and even President Franklin D. Roosevelt wore them! Today, sunglasses come in all shapes and sizes with different frames and lenses available at any price point. Read on to learn more about this long history of shades:
Egyptians were the first to use them
Sunglasses have a long history, dating back to ancient times. While they may seem like a modern invention, they were actually used in Egyptian times.
Ancient Egyptians were the first to use sunglasses as we know them today—in fact, they were made of polished rock crystal or obsidian. The lenses were made from either translucent rock crystal or black volcanic glass (obsidian). These early lenses had a single curvature across their surface and could be easily held up over one's eyes by means of a cord tied around the back of the head.
They were popular during the Roman Empire
Sunglasses were originally created in order to protect the eyes from the sun’s glare. However, as technology improved and glasses became easier to produce, they were used for a variety of purposes. In fact, sunglasses were popularized in Rome during the Roman Empire!
The earliest known use of sunglasses was by ancient Egyptians who wore them during religious ceremonies because they thought that it would help them communicate with their gods better. Later on, people started wearing sunglasses just because they thought it looked cool or stylish, but their main purpose was still protection against glare. Glasses made from copper and bronze have been found that date back all the way to around 3000 BC!
The Chinese brought them to Italy
Sunglasses have been around for a long time and have a rich history. In fact, they were first created in China and brought to Europe by Marco Polo in the 13th century. Sunglasses were first made of jade, which made them very expensive and only available to royalty. Later on, sunglasses were made of glass or plastic.
They became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s
Sunglasses were originally worn by sailors and fishermen, who needed to protect their eyes from the glare of the sun. They became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s. This was a time of great change in America, with many new inventions and technologies being introduced during these decades.
The Roaring Twenties was a time of economic prosperity, when people had lots of money to spend on new things like cars or clothes. It was also known as The Jazz Age because it was famous for jazz music—a type of music that grew out of African-American communities in New Orleans during this time period—and other popular forms of entertainment like dancing at speakeasies (illegal bars).
The Great Depression followed The Roaring Twenties by only a few years; it lasted from 1929 until 1939 when World War II began overseas so American industry could shift focus away from consumer goods back towards war production work instead."
Polarized sunglasses helped Hollywood stars maintain their image
If you're familiar with the history of sunglasses, then you already know that Hollywood stars were among the first people to wear them. However, it's easy to forget why they started wearing them in the first place.
Hollywood stars needed sunglasses for two reasons:
-
To protect their eyes from bright lights on set.
-
To maintain their image in front of the camera while still looking good on red carpets and off-screen in general
Aviator sunglasses were developed by Bausch + Lomb for pilots to block out harsh sunlight
In 1929, Bausch + Lomb developed aviator sunglasses for pilots to block out harsh sunlight. The company was initially focused on making glass lenses, but they soon realized that plastic was cheaper and more durable. Plastic is also less likely to shatter in high-impact situations—like when an airplane crashes—making it a better option for military pilots.
The sunglasses were made with flat lenses so that the wearer could keep their eyes focused on their instruments while wearing them; this design has since become a hallmark of aviator sunglasses. They were used by many pilots during World War II because they helped protect their eyes from the glare of the sun while also allowing them to see clearly even when flying at high altitudes where there is little light available due to atmospheric conditions such as reduced oxygen levels in blood vessels throughout your body (hypoxia).
Early sunglasses had metal frames and lenses made of glass or light plastic
Early sunglasses had metal frames and lenses made of glass or light plastic. They were heavy, bulky and expensive. They were worn mostly by people who worked outdoors, like fishermen or construction workers. They were not fashionable. But the idea of wearing them to protect your eyes from the sun was in place even then.
Sunglasses have been an important fashion accessory throughout history
-
Sunglasses have been an important fashion accessory throughout history.
-
In ancient times, sunglasses were used to protect eyes from the sun.
-
In more recent years, sunglasses have become a necessity in some cultures due to the prevalence of eye disease and blindness among its populations.
Aside from protecting your eyes, sunglasses have been a fashion statement for thousands of years
Aside from protecting your eyes, sunglasses have been a fashion statement for thousands of years. Sunglasses were originally used in religious ceremonies and war. In ancient Egypt, they were made with precious stones such as emeralds, rubies and diamonds. They were worn by priests to symbolize the sun god Ra.
In Ancient Greece, it was common for people to wear eye masks when they would travel outside their homes during the day because there wasn't any shade available from buildings or trees like we see today. The Greeks also used goldsmithing techniques on their eye masks which made them more durable than other materials being used at that time period (and still today).
During later centuries when sailing ships became more popular in Europe more sailors began wearing goggles to protect themselves from dust particles flying around on land while traveling through open fields where there wasn't much vegetation surrounding them at all times like today's modern age society has access too thanks to technology advancements made over time since then.. Sailing vessels would often collide into each other causing serious injuries so sailors needed something strong enough yet lightweight enough not hinder them when maneuvering around decks quickly during battle situations so they could avoid such accidents happening often.
Perhaps the most important thing to take away from this short article is that sunglasses have been popular for a long time and they will continue to be. They are now an essential part of our daily lives, whether we’re going to work or just hanging out with friends. But it wasn’t always like this: these sunglasses were once viewed as a status symbol by those who could afford them, but now they’re affordable enough for everyone who wants them!
