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By: Art Gib

The evolution of sunglasses has them dating back to ancient China and Rome. It is claimed that Roman emperors enjoyed watching gladiator fights through shiny lenses. In China, sunglass lenses were flat panes of smoky quartz. These types of sunglasses could not correct vision, or protect from harmful UV rays, but they did reduce glare and hide eye and facial expressions, such as when Chinese judges were interrogating witnesses.

In the eighteenth century, the evolution of sunglasses underwent further change in the work of James Ayscough. He experimented with tinted lenses and believed that glasses tinted with a blue or green color could potentially correct specific vision problems. These glasses still did not protect the eye from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

It wasn't until the 20th century that sunglasses evolved to the modern-type sunglasses close to what we know today. In 1929, Sam Foster, who was the founder of the Foster Grant company, sold the first pair of Foster Grant sunglasses. By 1930, sunglasses hit the streets big time. Foster's glasses were the first designed to protect the eye from UV rays. He sold the glasses on the beaches of Atlantic City, N.J. from the boardwalks Woolworth store.

As the evolution of sunglasses continued, in 1936 Edwin H. Land made the first polarized sunglasses. He began by using his patented Polaroid filter for making the sunglasses.

Also in the 1930's, the Army Air Corp commissioned Bausch & Lomb, a company in upstate NY, to develop sunglasses that would protect pilots from high altitude glare. Bausch & Lomb launched the first Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses using the polarized anti-glare technology of Edwin H. Land. These large, curved glasses were designed to protect the eye from every angle. The aviator sunglasses soon became popular with other branches of the military.

It wasn't long until sunglasses became widely popular and more people began buying them. Around this time, even more Americans started buying wearing the new fashionable eyewear. Movie stars and famous musicians began to wear them, giving their popularity a boost. Shaded eyewear had become not only a way to protect against sun glare, but also a way to be "cool." They became a cultural statement, and were worn by some people even when it wasn't sunny, or when they were indoors.

The evolution of sunglasses took another turn in the 1960's and 1970's when designer sunglasses hit the market. Famous designers like Foster Grant took the lead again, but that's a whole other story.

Ojo Designs (http://www.ojodesigns.com/product/spy/) offer a wide selection of Spy Glasses brand sunglasses, as well as many other popular brands. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Tags: Beauty/Fashion spy glasses

The History and Evolution of Sunglasses