History of eyeglasses timeline
This timeline traces the evolution of eyeglasses from ancient magnifying aids to modern smart eyewear. It highlights key innovations, design changes, and technological advancements that have shaped how we correct and enhance vision over the centuries.
Bikash Kampo
16 events
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses released
Ray-Ban, in collaboration with Meta, released smart glasses combining classic design with features like audio, camera, and voice assistant, reflecting the fusion of fashion and technology.
Smart glasses enter the market
Google Glass, one of the first smart glasses, was introduced, integrating a head-up display and camera, marking the beginning of wearable technology in eyewear.
Photochromic lenses introduced
Photochromic lenses, which darken in response to sunlight and clear indoors, were introduced, offering convenience and protection from UV rays.
Progressive lenses developed
Progressive lenses, providing a gradual transition between multiple lens powers for distance, intermediate, and near vision, were developed, eliminating visible lines of bifocals.
Introduction of plastic lenses
Plastic lenses were introduced, offering lighter and more impact-resistant alternatives to glass lenses, enhancing comfort and safety for wearers.
American Optical Company founded
The American Optical Company was established, becoming a major manufacturer of eyeglasses and contributing to the mass production and distribution of eyewear.
Introduction of pince-nez glasses
Pince-nez glasses, which clip onto the bridge of the nose without earpieces, became fashionable in the mid-19th century, offering a new style of eyewear.
Cylindrical lenses correct astigmatism
Sir George Biddell Airy designed cylindrical lenses to correct astigmatism, addressing irregular curvature of the cornea and improving visual clarity.
Benjamin Franklin invents bifocals
Benjamin Franklin developed bifocal lenses, combining convex and concave lenses to correct both farsightedness and nearsightedness in a single frame.
Edward Scarlett invents temple spectacles
English optician Edward Scarlett introduced spectacles with rigid sidepieces (temples) that rested over the ears, improving stability and comfort.
Printing press increases demand for glasses
The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg led to increased literacy and a higher demand for reading aids, spurring the production and refinement of eyeglasses.
Concave lenses introduced for myopia
Concave lenses were developed to correct nearsightedness, expanding the utility of eyeglasses beyond reading aids for the farsighted.
Term 'eyeglasses' first used in a sermon
The term "eyeglasses" was first recorded in a sermon by Dominican friar Giordano da Pisa, indicating the growing awareness and use of spectacles in society.
First wearable eyeglasses in Italy
The first wearable eyeglasses appeared in Northern Italy, featuring convex lenses set into frames of wood or leather, held in front of the eyes or perched on the nose.
Reading stones used in Europe
By the 11th century, Europeans used reading stones—convex lenses made of quartz or glass placed directly on text—to magnify letters, aiding those with presbyopia.
Nero uses emerald to view gladiators
Roman Emperor Nero is said to have watched gladiator games through a polished emerald, possibly to reduce glare or due to nearsightedness. This anecdote illustrates early attempts to aid vision using available materials.