History of Glases

The history of glasses does not stretch that far back in history since many were illiterate in the ancient world and the only ones who could truly read were either religious figures or the privileged. The only people who could read throughout history were monks, clergyman and the nobility. The history of glasses begins with monks splitting a glass ball in two for reading in the dark. Glasses as we know it today begins in the 13th century when spectacles were joined by a pivot made of wood or metals.

17th century lenses saw the use of ribbons and strings to be attached to the ears. Permanent attachments to the ears developed in the 18th century were Benjamin Franklin inventing bifocal lens for both near and far vision. It was not until the 19th century when the history of glasses transformed into a fashion accessory with colored or circular shades becoming very popular among men.