Little things about glasses
Glasses are amazing. Their history is truly fascinating! As works of art, they have a beauty all their own. Certainly one of the most significant inventions of all time, they are symbols of man’s incredible ingenuity and craftsmanship. Embrace the profound impact that spectacles alone have had on the human experience over the past 730 years. We generally take for granted one of the world’s most important inventions – spectacles. Imagine what life would be like not being able to see images clearly or sharply. According to a January 11, 1999 feature article in Newsweek Magazine, reading glasses are one of the most important inventions of the past 2000 years. They developed because of the work of artisans, like glassmakers, jewelers and clockmakers, along with some of the most brilliant scientific minds over the centuries. According to Dr. J. William Rosenthal, “Philosophers, monks, mathematicians, physicists, microscopists, astronomers, and chemists all played vital roles in developing this instrument.” The first suspected recorded use of a corrective lens may have been by the emperor Nero in the 1st century, who was known to watch the gladiatorial games using an emerald. Around 1284 in Italy, Salvino D’Armate is credited with inventing the first wearable eye glasses. The earliest pictorial evidence for the use of eyeglasses, however, is Tomaso da Modena’s 1352 portrait of the cardinal Hugh de Provence reading in a scriptorium. Corrective lenses were also said to be used by Abbas Ibn Firnas in the 9th century. He had devised a way to finish sand into glass; which until that time, was secret to the Egyptians. These glasses could be shaped and polished into round rocks used for viewing - known as reading stones. Sunglasses, in the form of flat panes of smoky quartz, protected the eyes from glare and were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. However, they did not offer any corrective powers. Nowadays sunglasses allow better vision in bright daylight, and may protect against damage from high levels of ultraviolet light. Certainly it would be impossible to name the numerous museums from all over the world with artwork relating to antique spectacles. But be assured that it is a wonderful experience to discover an early pair of spectacles in a painting or drawing. If you are interested in buying glasses on the web, you can choose from our large selection of quality online spectacles, and have your new glasses delivered to your door. All you got to do is go to Webglasses.com.au and follow these three simple steps: • obtain a current prescription from your local Optometrist • select from our great range of frame and lens options • receive your new glasses via Express E-Parcel
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