We take our prescription glasses for granted these days, and the four-eyed look has even turned into a sexy and sophisticated fashion statement.
What words could we use to describe the modern prescription glasses that we see on the market today? Sexy. Sophisticated. Trendy. And not forgetting – practical, useful, and necessary. Prescription glasses aid the vision of millions around the world, and also provide fashion fanatics with the ultimate accessory.
But where did this creation of concave and convex glass come from in the first place? Who invented it? And how did it develop over time? The very beginnings of prescription glasses could derive from the period of 1286 in Pisa, Italy. Though, it has been said that Marco Polo observed elderly Chinese people using spectacles when he journey to China in 1270. There is no evidence of this and it wasn’t until the 1300s that the term ‘eyeglasses’ were used.
The First Prescription Glasses
In 1352, a painting of Cardinal Hugh of Provence by Tommaso da Modina reveals a pair of rivet spectacles. Could this be the very first pictorial evidence of prescription glasses?
The invention of specs and prescription glasses has profoundly influenced the progress in arts and sciences, yet we do not know exactly who to thank for such a gift. Could Marco Polo really have seen the Chinese wearing the amazing eye-glass in 1270? In China, some have claimed that they pinched the idea from Arabia in the 11th Century. Will we ever know the true origin of prescription glasses?
Developments in the Western World
In the West, it is believed that the invention of prescription glasses happened somewhere between 1268 and 1289. Reading aids were the very first glasses to be invented.
In the 18th Century, side arms were developed by a London optician called Edward Scarlett. Although we can not be sure that side arms were not being used elsewhere, Edward Scarlett was the first to advertise them and bring them to the British public. Further into the century, James Ayscough invents the double-hinged temple, and Benjamin Franklin conceives the idea of the split bifocal lens.
What Have we Achieved Today?
Today, there has been, and continues to be, dramatic changes in the eyewear industry. Not only has there been progress in lens acuity and frame shapes, but eyewear has fast become a popular fashion accessory for both men and women.
Sight Station – A Vision of Style
If you are looking for prescription glasses, shop online at Sight Station. You will find a wide range of gorgeous frames at affordable prices. Call 01322 318 511 for more information, or visit the website to start browsing today.