Sunglasses are undoubtedly one of humanity’s coolest inventions and tools that blends protection and style rather seamlessly. Sunglasses as a whole have come a long way from when they were first invented. The history of sunglasses is an interesting journey from basic eye cover to the high-performance optics you wear today.
At Nectar, we build our sunglasses on a foundation of scientific excellence and a heritage of rugged dependability. Speaking of that heritage, let’s honor it, as we look back over two millennia to trace the history of sunglasses and understand how modern innovations, particularly polarized lenses, keep your vision safe and clear.
How Eye Protection contributed to the History of Sunglasses
The concept of protecting the eyes from harsh light is far older than glass lenses and for good reason, the sun is quite powerful! For anyone who spends time outdoors, be it on the open water or a snow covered landscape, mitigating glare is critical.
Early Sunglasses Inventions and Innovations: Function Over Form
Various people adapted local materials to circumvent or solve the same pain point that many of us are plagued with today, intense light. This begs the question of, “when were sunglasses first invented?” The answer is slightly debated as is the first initial iteration of sunglasses so let’s unpack this a little bit.
When were sunglasses invented?
Simply put, the answer is there wasn’t a singular moment but there have been clear stages of evolution in sunglasses through their history. The best answer to “when were sunglasses invented” depends on how they are defined. With the prior said, the earliest known eye protection dates back over 2,000 years, when the Inuit people created arctic snow goggles from bone, wood, or ivory to reduce glare and prevent snow blindness. With all the snow in the Artic, the reflection necessitated innovation to reduce light exposure by narrowing their field of vision. They were obviously not rocking polarized lenses by any means, but their function was to aid vision despite the form requiring further refinement.
Moving the geolocation to China sometime in the 12th century, tinted lenses were making an appearance.These were flat pieces of smoky quartz were used to obscure judges’ eyes rather than block sunlight. The goal was to help the judges conceal facial expressions during trials, maintaining an air of distant impartiality. Again, this speaks to how sunglasses are defined because in this scenario the pain point was to obscure not reduce light exposure.
Craftsmen and opticians in Europe in the 18th century were experimenting with colored lenses to reduce glare and aid vision, but there is debate as to whether or not they constitute the modern sunglasses.
Sunglasses as we recognize them today—affordable, purpose-built for sun protection, and widely worn—emerged in the early 20th century, beginning in 1929 with mass-produced plastic sunglasses in the United States and advancing through the 1930s with aviator designs and polarized lenses.
A Detailed Timeline of Sunglasses
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The Emperor's Emeralds (Ancient Rome roughly 68 AD): While likely a status symbol, Roman Emperor Nero was known to hold polished emeralds up to his eyes while watching gladiator matches. It’s believed these gems helped cut down on glare and enhanced his viewing clarity. He clearly didn’t want to miss out on any of the action!
- Chinese Smoky Quartz Glasses (12th Century): In China, sheets of smoky quartz were used as eyewear.
The Birth of the Modern Sunglass Style
The true ancestors of today’s sunglasses where there are lenses in frames worn over the ear emerged centuries later in Europe. Again, to properly answer “when sunglasses were invented” depends on how they are defined. Based on the modern definition of sunglasses, the 18th century appears to be the most modern iteration of when sunglasses were invented based solely on both form and function.
The 18th Century Sunglass Transition
Leave it to the Italians to pave the way for modern design aesthetics! The rise of glass craftsmanship, particularly in Italy, grants a little bit clearer of a timeline on when sunglasses were invented.
- 1. Venetian Gondola Glasses (Early 1700s): Wealthy Italian noblewomen traveling Venice’s reflective canals used handheld frames with large, greentinted mineral glass lenses (known as “vetri di dama”).
- 2. Wearable Frames (1760s): Venetian glassblowers developed the first designs meant to be worn on the face, secured over the nose bridge and behind the ears. These green-tinted glasses, sometimes called "Goldoni Glasses," were specifically created to protect eyes from the sun’s glare on the water. We’re still not quite at polarized lenses, but you can see how things are beginning to take shape.
- 3. Medical Tinted Lenses (1752): English optician James Ayscough experimented with tinted lenses (blue or green) to treat vision issues and light sensitivity, though they weren't explicitly called "sunglasses" at the time.
The Transition in Form and Function to Utility and Fashion: The 20th Century Boom
For most of the 1800s, dark glasses were utilitarian and based on occupation. Dark glasses were typically worn by scientists, early drivers, and pilots. Leave it to the glamour of Hollywood and American ingenuity to turn them into a worldwide fashion phenomenon. Hollywood is largely responsible for popularizing sunglasses which only furthered their progression over time.
When Were Sunglasses Invented in America?
In the early 1900s, movie stars began wearing custom made, dark glasses to shield their eyes from the intense, artificial lights on film sets. This exclusive look captured the public imagination.
The Entrepreneurial Spark (1929): Sam Foster, an American entrepreneur, recognized the market potential for affordable eyewear. He pioneered the use of cellulose (acetate) to create cheap, mass-produced frames. He sold his Foster Grant sunnies on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, NJ. They became an instant, accessible hit, quickly turning sunglasses into a fashion accessory for the masses.
When Were Modern Sunglasses Invented?
While the public embraced style, military needs drove technological advancements that focused on function. This is key to understanding who invented sunglasses in their modern form and why there is no clear cut answer to “when were sunglasses invented”. As we’ve mentioned there’s a fair amount of nuance.
How did sunglasses evolve into modern sunglasses?
- The Aviator Design (1930s): US Army Air Corps Colonel John A. Macready collaborated with Bausch & Lomb to develop specialized eyewear for pilots who struggled with intense UV ray exposure at high altitudes. As the motif of form drives function prevails, the result was antiglare glasses which had a greentinted, curved lens and metal frame. These were first commercially produced in 1938 and named RayBan, short for "Banning Rays." General Douglas MacArthur made the aviator a global icon during WWII.
- The Power of Polarized Lenses (1936): Another giant leap came when polarized sunglasses were invented by Edwin H. Land, who founded the Polaroid Corporation. He introduced a special filter that selectively eliminates horizontal light waves which are the core source of blinding glare reflecting off water, snow, or roads. This polarized tech significantly improved safety and visibility for drivers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- The Wayfarer Legacy (1952): RayBan introduced the Wayfarer, a nautical-inspired, plastic-framed style with an arched brow. This bold frame shape quickly became the defining eyewear of the Beatnik generation and pop culture icons like James Dean, establishing its place as one of the most recognized sunglass styles today.
How do modern sunglasses differ from early sunglasses?
From bone carvings to advanced polarized optics, the history of sunglasses shows a constant drive for both protection and expression.
The core difference between early and modern sunglasses lies in their blend of form and function. While the earliest iterations, such as Inuit snow goggles or Chinese smoky quartz, focused purely on practical needs like reducing glare or obscuring the face, modern sunglasses are high-performance optics built on scientific excellence and rugged dependability. They emerged as an affordable, mass-produced fashion accessory in the 20th century, critically advancing with innovations like the anti-glare Aviator design and the introduction of polarized lenses, which eliminate blinding horizontal glare to deliver superior UV protection.
Today, they have fully evolved into a necessary shield and a statement piece that seamlessly coalesce function and fashion.
The Heritage of Sunglasses: Continuing a legacy of innovation
At Nectar, we are proud to carry this heritage forward, delivering the durable construction and optical clarity you need, with the aesthetic that suits your adventure's demands. Stop settling for less than the best. Explore our collection today and experience the difference of quality polarized lenses and superior UV protection.
And remember, every pair comes with our Lifetime Warranty—that’s the Nectar promise, solid and dependable, like the Salt of the East.
History of Sunglasses FAQ:
Q: When Were Prescription Sunglasses Invented?
- While the text does not specify the exact date for *prescription* sunglasses, the English optician James Ayscough was experimenting with tinted (blue or green) lenses to treat vision issues and light sensitivity in 1752. The mass production and widespread availability of prescription sun lenses would have occurred much later, likely coinciding with advancements in lens grinding technology in the 20th century.
Q: When Were Polarized Sunglasses Invented?
- Polarized sunglasses were invented in 1936 by Edwin H. Land, who founded the Polaroid Corporation. He created a special filter that selectively eliminates horizontal light waves, which are the main cause of blinding glare.
Q: When Were Sunglasses First Invented?
- The concept of eye protection from intense light dates back over 2,000 years, with the Inuit tribes carving snow goggles from bone or ivory. However, the true ancestors of modern sunglasses with lenses in frames worn over the ears emerged in Europe in the 18th century.
Q: When Were Modern Sunglasses Invented?
- Modern sunglasses began to take shape in the 20th century. The critical period was the 1930s when Colonel John A. Macready collaborated with Bausch & Lomb to develop the antiglare Aviator design (commercially released in 1938), and Edwin H. Land introduced polarized lenses in 1936.
Q: When Were Sunglasses Invented in America?
- Mass produced, affordable sunglasses were popularized in America starting in 1929 when entrepreneur Sam Foster began selling Foster Grant sunnies on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, NJ.
