The invention of glasses is a fascinating story that spans centuries, rooted in the
desire to improve vision and enhance daily life. The earliest recorded use of
corrective lenses dates back to ancient civilizations, but glasses as we know them
today didn’t emerge until the late Middle Ages.
The story begins in the 1st century CE, when the Roman Emperor Nero is said to have
used a form of magnifying lens made from polished emeralds to watch gladiatorial
contests. However, these early lenses were not used for reading or correcting
vision in the way modern glasses do.
The true invention of eyeglasses is credited to the 13th century in Italy, where
the first wearable lenses were developed. Around 1286, a man named Salvino
D’Armate, an Italian inventor, is often recognized as the person who created the
first pair of eyeglasses. These early glasses had convex lenses, which were
intended to correct farsightedness (presbyopia), a condition that affects people as
they age and struggle to see close objects clearly.
The design of these early eyeglasses was rudimentary. They consisted of two glass
lenses mounted in a frame that was either held by hand or perched on the nose.
These early lenses were typically made of quartz, which was not clear enough and
could distort the view, but they marked the beginning of corrective eyewear. It
wasn’t until the 15th century that the technology and materials for making clearer
and more durable lenses advanced, particularly with the development of more
effective glass-making techniques.
Eyeglasses became more widely used in the late 15th and early 16th centuries,
particularly in Europe, as the printing press allowed for more books to be
produced, and the need for reading glasses increased. The frames were originally
made from wood or metal, and the lenses were often ground by hand. It wasn’t until
the 17th century that the first glasses with temples (arms) that could rest over
the ears were developed, making them more comfortable to wear and keeping them in
place.
