a temporary history of hues, from ancient Rome to Hollywood

Sunglasses or dark glasses have at all times protected against strong sunlight, but is there more to “sunglasses” than we predict?

The pupils of our eyes are sensitive and react immediately to strong light. Protection from light – including the glare reflected from snow – is essential for everybody. Himalayan mountaineers Wear safety glasses exactly for this purpose.

Protection is partly the function of sunglasses. But glasses with dark or coloured lenses have also grow to be fashion accessories and private signature items. Think of the nice and famous sunglasses collector Elton Johnwith its heart-shaped pink lentil extravaganzas and plenty of others.

When did this interest in eye protection begin and when did dark glasses grow to be a social statement along with physical protection?

Old traditions

The Roman Emperor Nero is reported When he held polished gemstones to his eyes for sun protection while watching gladiators fight.

We know that Canadian Copper Inuit and Alaskan Yupiks wore these Snow goggles many species product of antler or whalebone and with tiny horizontal slits. The wearer looked through this and was protected against the brilliant light of the snow while hunting. At the identical time, the very narrow eye holes helped them to consider their prey.

Judges in twelfth century China wore sunglasses with smoky quartz lenses to cover their facial expressions – perhaps to preserve their dignity or not convey emotions.

Glasses were manufactured very early in Venice with its long-standing glassmaking skills focused on the still famous islands of Murano.

In the 18th century, noble Venetian ladies held their place green glasses They wore tortoiseshell frames for his or her eyes, a design that resembled a hand mirror. These (gondola glasses) or (for girls) were used to guard her and her children's eyes from sunlight as gondoliers paddled them through the Venetian canals.

Glasses, celebrity and war

Eye protection takes an interesting turn when filmmaking begins. The eyes of movie stars became tense because the substitute studio lighting was very strong. When their eyes became sore, they began wearing tinted glasses outside of the studio.

When Hollywood began making these stars celebrities, they sought privacy by wearing dark glasses even on public occasions.

Her appearance was crucial to the industry.

One thinks of the aloof Greta Garbo, who hid behind her glasses to stop interaction with fans. Audrey Hepburn was one other star known for her dark Oliver Goldsmith glasses. She stared in lots of movies and in addition wore them as high fashion accessories.

The first anti-glare glasses, originally with green lens that blocked UV rays, were Ray-Bans, patented in 1939 as Aviators for the US Army Air Corps. Their forms reduced light from every angle. They were adopted by the military and have become the trademark of General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of US Forces within the Pacific, who was stationed in Brisbane during World War II.

With these glasses, well-tailored khaki uniforms and peaked caps, the wearers exuded a robust masculine appeal – although the outfits weren’t exactly fashionable.

From the late Twenties onwards, dark glasses became increasingly popular accessories. In the 60s and 70s they gained latest life as a fashion essential for men and girls. Men and girls, celebrities and magnificence icons like Jacqueline Kennedy wore her huge designer oversized glasses as personal fashion items.

Rich in meaning

There are lots of of various designs in the marketplace today. Many may be picked up at any pharmacy.

Dark glasses are in every single place: on the road, while driving, on the beach and on the tennis court.

Sunglasses have different meanings. They protect against shiny sunlight and protect the wearer from close contact with others. They also allow users to look at others unnoticed. They are eye-catching accessories loved by celebrities, movie stars and fashion influencers of all types.

For some celebrities, sunglasses have grow to be an element of their character.

They give off an almost powerful aura for somebody like Vogue's Anna Wintour. For Stevie Wonder, who wears sunglasses because he’s legally blind, they’ve grow to be an emblem of his special personality, unique abilities and iconic status.