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September 8th, 2025
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In today's society, sunglasses are a common accessory worn by
people of all ages. You can find them being sported by
celebrities, athletes, and even children. But have you ever
stopped to ask yourself who is responsible for the invention of
Sunglasses? Who invented them and why? Well, today we're going
to take a closer look at the history of sunglasses and some of
the people who played a role in their development. So grab your
shades and let's get started!
In the 1700s, James Ayscough began experimenting
with
tinted lenses in an effort to reduce glare and improve
vision. He was the first person to actually use
glasses for the purpose of protecting the eyes from
the sun.
In the early 1800s, a man named Samuel Morse
developed sunglasses that were equipped with side
shields. These side shields were designed to protect
the wearer's eyes from the harmful rays of the
sun.
In the early 1900s, a company called Foster Grant
began mass-producing sunglasses. This was a major
breakthrough in the sunglasses industry, as it made
them more accessible to the general public.
In the 1930s, sunglasses became a popular fashion
accessory, thanks in part to their use by Hollywood
stars like Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.
In the 1940s, sunglasses were introduced as
military
equipment. They were used by pilots and soldiers to
protect their eyes from the glare of the sun and the
harsh conditions of war.
In the 1950s, sunglasses became a symbol of cool,
thanks to their association with celebrities like
James Dean and Audrey Hepburn.
In the 1930s, sunglasses became a popular fashion
accessory, thanks in part to their use by Hollywood
stars like Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.
In the 1940s, sunglasses were introduced as
military
equipment. They were used by pilots and soldiers to
protect their eyes from the glare of the sun and the
harsh conditions of war.
In the 1950s, sunglasses became a symbol of cool,
thanks to their association with celebrities like
James Dean and Audrey Hepburn.
A Brief History of Sunglasses
The invention of Sunglasses has been around for centuries, with the first recorded use dating back to ancient China and Rome. In those days, they were worn primarily to protect the eyes from bright sunlight and dusty conditions. Over time, sunglasses evolved and became more sophisticated, with different styles being developed to suit different needs.
In the 1700s, James Ayscough began experimenting
with
tinted lenses in an effort to reduce glare and improve
vision. He was the first person to actually use
glasses for the purpose of protecting the eyes from
the sun.
In the early 1800s, a man named Samuel Morse
developed sunglasses that were equipped with side
shields. These side shields were designed to protect
the wearer's eyes from the harmful rays of the
sun.
In the early 1900s, a company called Foster Grant
began mass-producing sunglasses. This was a major
breakthrough in the sunglasses industry, as it made
them more accessible to the general public.
In the 1930s, sunglasses became a popular fashion
accessory, thanks in part to their use by Hollywood
stars like Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.
In the 1940s, sunglasses were introduced as
military
equipment. They were used by pilots and soldiers to
protect their eyes from the glare of the sun and the
harsh conditions of war.
In the 1950s, sunglasses became a symbol of cool,
thanks to their association with celebrities like
James Dean and Audrey Hepburn.
In the 1930s, sunglasses became a popular fashion
accessory, thanks in part to their use by Hollywood
stars like Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.
In the 1940s, sunglasses were introduced as
military
equipment. They were used by pilots and soldiers to
protect their eyes from the glare of the sun and the
harsh conditions of war.
In the 1950s, sunglasses became a symbol of cool,
thanks to their association with celebrities like
James Dean and Audrey Hepburn.
In the 1990s, sunglasses became more affordable and
accessible, with a wide variety of styles being available to
suit different budgets.
In the 2000s , sunglasses became an essential
fashion item, with a wide variety of designer brands being
available.
In the 2010s , sunglasses have become more than just
a fashion accessory; they are now an essential piece of
everyday equipment, thanks to their ability to protect the
eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
Who Invented Sunglasses?
The invention of sunglasses is often credited to Sam Foster,
who founded the Foster Grant company in 1929. However, it is
important to note that sunglasses had been around for
centuries before Foster's time. So while he may have
popularized them, he was not the first person to invent
them.
The first person to actually use glasses for the purpose of
protecting the eyes from the sun was
James Ayscough. He
began experimenting with tinted lenses in the 1700s in an
effort to reduce glare and improve vision.
In the early 1800s,
Samuel Morse
developed sunglasses that were equipped with side shields to
protect the wearer's eyes from the harmful rays of the
sun.
Who Wore the First Pair of Sunglasses?
The first recorded use of sunglasses dates back to the reign of Emperor Nero, who is said to have watched gladiator fights through polished gems. His mentor Seneca is also credited as being one of the first people to advocate for the use of sunglasses, as he believed that they could protect the eyes from the harsh glare of the sun.Aviator Sunglasses History
The first aviator sunglasses were developed in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. They were designed for pilots, who needed a way to protect their eyes from the harsh conditions of flight. The original design featured green lenses, which were later replaced by brown or gray lenses. Today, aviator sunglasses are one of the most popular styles of sunglasses in the world. Thanks to their timeless design, they can be worn by people of all ages and genders.Aviator Sunglasses History
The first aviator sunglasses were developed in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. They were designed for pilots, who needed a way to protect their eyes from the harsh conditions of flight. The original design featured green lenses, which were later replaced by brown or gray lenses. Today, aviator sunglasses are one of the most popular styles of sunglasses in the world. Thanks to their timeless design, they can be worn by people of all ages and genders.Rising Popularity of Sunglasses
Sunglasses became increasingly popular in the early 20th century, as more and more people began to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing. In 1929, the invention of the first mass-produced pair of sunglasses by Sam Foster helped to make them more accessible to the general public.- Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy were often seen wearing sunglasses, which helped to make them even more popular.
- In the 1960s, sunglasses entered the world of high fashion thanks to designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Salvatore Ferragamo.
- The 1970s saw the development of a wide variety of new styles of sunglasses, including aviator sunglasses, cat-eye sunglasses, and wrap-around sunglasses.
- In the 1980s, sunglasses became a must-have fashion accessory, thanks to their use by celebrities like Madonna and Michael Jackson.
- The 1990s saw the rise of mass-market sunglasses brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. This made sunglasses more affordable and accessible, with a wide variety of styles being available to suit different budgets.
Sunglasses and their Health Benefits
Wearing sunglasses can help to :- Protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, which can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and other serious eye problems.
- Help to protect your eyes from wind, dust, and other airborne particles.
- And if you wear contact lenses, sunglasses can help to keep your lenses clean and free from debris.
- Make you look cool.
FINAL
THOUGHTS
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The invention of Sunglasses has a long and storied history, dating
back to ancient civilizations. We’ve explored some of the most
interesting facts about sunglasses in this post, but there are
still many more that we could cover.
We offer a wide variety of sunglasses styles that can be
customized with your own personal design. Whether you’re looking
for classic aviators or trendy cat-eyes, we have something perfect
for you. So don’t wait any longer- head over to our site and order
your very own pair of custom sunglasses today!
Starquix are experts on
all things printed and promotional. Let our team help you
select awesome promotional swag today!
September 8th, 2025
6 Minute Read
SHARE:
