For Your Information

Chinese Judges Used Sunglass First, Then Later Played A Role In WW2

Tinted eyewear, rather Sunglasses, were first worn in the 12th century by Chinese judges in order to hide their eyes in court so that their facial expressions were harder to be seen. Obviously it didn't stop anyone noticing; laughing, smiling, frowning, etc... but it hid a lot more than one would think; Anger, interest, curiousity, fear, awe, and probably more that I can't think of.

However, the first inventor of wearable glasses is unknown, the Romans first discovered the ability to use to glass to enhance; their ability to see small text, creating small magnifying glasses with spheres. The first wearable glasses known to history appeared in Italy during the 13th century. Reniassance Artwork support that these glasses existed, as early Renaissance paintings sometimes depict scholars using handheld frames or perch-style glasses. Primitive glass-blown lenses were set into wooden or leather frames and/or frames made from animal horn. Mostly used by monks, these grew in popularity and the technology improved through the Renaissance.

There wasn't much of a technological improvement really recorded/documented until the 1700's as glasses with temples to extend over the ears were made. The most famous of these more modern glasses include "Martin's Margins," spectacles developed by the inventor Benjamin Martin. These glasses are sold as collector's items today, but they pioneered the pursuit for more accurate lens development and thinner lenses supported by durable frames.

In the 20th century the modern type sunglasses began to appear. They became popular when movie stars began using them to protect their eyes from the bright studio lights and introduced into fashion later on. In 1929, Sam Foster founder of the Foster Grant of Atlantic City began the mass production of sunglasses in America. Polarized sunglasses first became available in 1936, when Edwin H. Land began using his patented Polaroid filter when making sunglasses. Sunglasses later played a significant role during the World War II, when Ray Ban created anti-glare aviator style sunglasses, using polarization... and to look cool.