YINGCHANG joins you to learn about the cold knowledge of the history of eyeglasses.

The prototype of the modern eyeglass appeared in Italy in the 13th century, consisting of two convex lenses set in a wooden or metal frame to correct farsightedness. There were no temples and they had to be held up by hand or stuck on the bridge of the nose.

-The Invention of the eyeglass temple

The Spaniards invented the temples in the 18th century, but they didn't gain popularity until the 20th century, allowing glasses to rest stably on the ears.

-Inspiration for color-changing lenses

The inventor of the color-changing lens (which darkens when exposed to light) was the American chemist Edward H. Land (also the founder of the Polaroid camera), inspired by his daughter's complaints about the harshness of the sun.

-Glasses were once a status symbol

In medieval Europe, people who wore glasses were often seen as 'scholars' or 'noblemen' because books were scarce and reading was the privilege of a few.

-Glasses without lenses

Decorative eyeglasses (frames without lenses) were once popular in Japan purely as a fashion accessory, and even gave rise to the culture of the 'glasses girl-Meganekko（Japanese：めがねっ娘）'.

-The world's most expensive eyeglasses

In 2013, a pair of gold eyeglasses encrusted with 51 diamonds sold at auction for about $1 million, breaking the Guinness Book of Records.

-The 'Extreme Uses' of Eyeglasses

-Ancestors of Diving Goggles

The earliest diving goggles came from 14th-century Persian bead miners and were made of polished tortoise-shell sheets that were strapped to the face to repel water.

-The Hidden Functions of Pilot's Glasses

World War II aviator's glasses had hollowed out temples that allowed for the insertion of straws to drink directly , avoiding the need to remove the helmet.

-Cold Stories of Celebrities and Eyeglasses

Einstein's glasses: After his death, his round-framed glasses were auctioned off for about $150,000, but were so high in prescription (about +3.0D) that the average person would get dizzy wearing them.