History of Sunglasses

When Were Sunglasses Invented? 

If you’ve ever put on a favourite pair of shades and wondered when the combination of style and technology was invented, you may be surprised. Early types of sunglasses date as far back as 2,000 years ago during the prehistoric Inuit period. 

Read on to learn more about the history of sunglasses. 

Who Invented Sunglasses? 

It’s widely believed that the Inuit people of Canada and Western Alaska invented the first sunglasses around 2,000 years ago. Glare from the sun in these snowy areas made it difficult to see and sometimes led to snow blindness (photokeratitis).  

To combat the sun’s effects, the Inuit made eye coverings out of ivory, bone, or driftwood, cutting a thin slit in the middle to see through. The slits were then covered with soot and gunpowder to cut down on glare. Overall, these shades — also similar to snow goggles — protected the wearer’s eyes and helped them see better. 

Where Were Sunglasses Invented? 

The ancient Inuit sunglasses described above were developed and used in Alaska and Canada. 

In 12th-century China, judges used lenses made of a smoky colour of quartz so no one could see their eyes or how they reacted to witnesses in court. The darkened lenses were put into frames around the 15th century, making them look more like the sunglasses you wear today.  

Did They Have Sunglasses in the 1600s? 

In the 1600s, glasses with tinted lenses were used as a visual or therapeutic aid rather than for sun protection. For example, English diarist Samuel Pepys bought specs with green lenses in 1666 in hopes of relieving his severe eye strain. 

English optician James Ayscough continued incorporating tinted lenses into his optical work in the 1700s. He believed that blue and green lenses could help alleviate eye soreness, light sensitivity, and other vision issues.  

When Did Europeans Start Wearing Sunglasses? 

Gondoliers in 18th-century Venice, Italy, were some of the first to use tinted spectacle lenses specifically to shield their eyes from the sun. They wore green-tinted sunglasses to protect their eyes from the glare caused by the sun reflecting off the city’s canals.  

When Were Modern Sunglasses Invented? 

While tinted lenses and sun protection have existed for thousands of years, sunglasses as we know them today didn’t begin to take shape until the early 1900s. Here’s how they have evolved:  

• 1913 – British chemist and physicist Sir William Crookes adds cerium to glass lenses, inventing the first sunglass lenses to block ultraviolet light.  

• 1929 – American businessman Sam Foster, co-founder of Foster Grant, is the first to mass-produce plastic sunglasses and sell them at a moderate price. They surged in popularity after he sold his first pair on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

• 1936 – Russian-American inventor Edwin H. Land develops the first polarised sunglasses to help reduce glare. 

• 1960s – Foster Grant helps drive the sales of sunglasses with an advertising campaign — “Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants®” — that featured Raquel Welch and other celebrities.  

• 1991 – Transitions® light-adaptive photochromic lenses become available to the public.  

When Were Aviator Sunglasses Invented? 

Aviator sunglasses were invented in the late 1930s. The classic teardrop-shaped frame covered more of a pilot’s face than goggles. The green-tinted lenses blocked glare while allowing pilots to see clearly. 

Aviators were worn by U.S. Air Force pilots, mechanics, and other aviation personnel during World War II. They gained popularity through the years and eventually reached icon status after Tom Cruise wore them in the 1986 movie “Top Gun.” 

When Were Polarised Sunglasses Invented? 

Edwin H. Land, founder of the Polaroid Corporation, patented a polarising lightweight filter in 1929. He created the first polarised sunglasses in 1936, incorporating this filter into the lenses to reduce glare.  

We have a wide variety of fashionable and functional shades, making it easy to find your perfect pair. Plus, all Foster Grant sunglasses come with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection and are scratch-resistant.  

SOURCES 

1. The invention of sunglasses. All About Vision. February 2020.* 
2. When were sunglasses invented? Glasses.com. January 2022.* 
3. What are other names for sunglasses? All About Vision. February 2020.* 
4. The history of sunglasses: From Foster Grants to today. All About Vision. September 2019.* 
5. Who invented glasses? FramesDirect. Accessed August 2024.*  
6. When were photochromic lenses developed? All About Vision. March 2020.* 
7. Everything you need to know about aviator glasses. All About Vision. March 2021.* 

The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source. 

*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision, AAV Media, LLC, Glasses.com, and FramesDirect are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.