Point Of View

D = 50,0

p

o

i

n

t

V = 0,1

D = 25,0

o

f

V = 0,2

D = 16,67

v

i

e

w

V = 0,3

According to

experts, glasses are the fifth

experts, glasses

most important invention since mankind discovered

are the fifth most important invention

since mankind discovered fire and

experts, glasses are the fifth most important invention since mankind discovered fire and

fire and invented the

invented the

wheel

The reason

For the first time in human history, millions of people were able to enjoy good vision in spite of problems with their vision

Alexander Pushkin

See Portrait

Marie Antoinette

See Portrait

Thomas Cromwell

See Portrait

Heinrich XIV

See Portrait

Anna Ioannovna

See Portrait

Catherine the Great

See Portrait

Europe
1000-1200.

Reading

stone

Before glasses were invented, monks used small polished glass or crystal hemispheres known as reading stones. Placed directly on top of a manuscript, the curved surface magnified the letters beneath it, making it easier to read and copy sacred texts

These simple

lenses laid

the

foundation for ◂ the development

of wearable

spectacles

centuries

later

R

I

V

E

T

Northern Italy
1280-1300.

S

p

e

c

t

a

c

l

e

Early glasses had no temples—users balanced them on the nose or held them by hand. Impractical, but revolutionary: they restored reading for scholars and marked the beginning of wearable vision correction

Experiments

Before modern glasses with temples became standard, many different designs appeared as opticians experimented with ways to hold lenses in front of the eyes

Experiments

Before modern glasses with temples became standard, many different designs appeared as opticians experimented with ways to hold lenses in front of the eyes

∙ Pince-nez

∙∙ Lorgnette

∙∙∙ Monocle

XVI

XVIII

XIX

Monocle

Germany & France

Monocles became associated with aristocrats,

intellectuals, and military officers. They were often custom-made to fit the wearer’s eye

Lorgnette

England & France

A pair of lenses attached to a handle,

used by holding them in front of the eyes. Popular in theaters, opera houses

Pince-nez

europe & United States

Glasses without temples that stayed in place by

pinching the bridge of the nose. The name comes from the French pincer (“to pinch”) and nez (“nose”)

London
1728

Edward Scarlett introduced glasses with rigid side arms—temples

D = 50,0

n

o

V = 0,1

D = 25,0

h

a

n

d

s

V = 0,2

D = 25,0

g

l

a

s

e

s

V = 0,2

Temple Length

construction

Resting against the sides of the head, they kept frames securely in place without hands or nose pressure

Glasses became easier

to

produce

Bridge

Between Arms

Glasses made it possible for people to

Glasses made it possible for people

Glasses made it possible for

read,

to

people to

read,

work, and see

work, and

the

the world in detail

see the

world in detail

dandelion

detail 001

dimples on cheeks

detail 002

Book cover

detail 003

morning dew

detail 004

butterfly wing

detail 005

In the 1900s, glasses evolved from vision

In the 1900s, glasses evolved from

In the 1900s, glasses evolved

aids into

from

vision

aids into cultural

cultural

symbols,

becoming fashion

statements

symbols,

and tools

becoming fashion

of self-expression

statements and

tools

statements and tools

of self-expression

of

self-expression

the Archive

the Archive

Round

Round frames gained popularity because early lens manufacturing made circular shapes easier to produce. They soon became associated with intellectuals, artists, and cultural icons

the archive

Aviator

Originally designed by Bausch & Lomb for U.S. military pilots, aviator sunglasses featured large teardrop-shaped lenses to protect the entire field of vision from sunlight at high altitude

the archive

Cat-Eye

With their sharp upward corners, cat-eye frames became a symbol of post-war femininity and glamour. They were popularized by Hollywood actresses and often decorated with rhinestones or bold colors

the archive

Wayfarer

Ray-Ban introduced Wayfarer frames with a bold plastic shape that broke away from traditional metal eyewear. Their distinctive design quickly became a cultural icon in music, cinema, and pop culture

the archive

Oversized

Large lenses offered both sun protection and dramatic visual impact, becoming closely associated with celebrity culture and luxury fashion

the archive

Wrap-around

Designed for sports and high-performance activities, wrap-around glasses curved around the face to provide better protection and peripheral vision

the archive

Rave

Inspired by digital culture, cyberpunk aesthetics, and futuristic design, these glasses feature sharp geometry, reflective lenses, and experimental materials