A brief History of glasses

A Brief History of Glasses 👓

Ever wondered how your trusty specs came to be? Eyeglasses have been around for more than 700 years, and their story is packed with monks, inventors, fashion icons, and even a few wild design experiments along the way. Let’s take a whistle stop tour through the history of seeing clearly.

Ancient Bright Ideas 🔮

Long before anyone thought of frames, people were already experimenting with vision. The Romans used polished crystal and even bowls of water to magnify text. (Imagine lugging one of those around to read the menu!)

Italy, 13th Century: The Real Beginning 🇮🇹

The first true eyeglasses appeared in Italy in the late 1200s. Convex lenses were fitted into wooden frames, held in front of the eyes. These early specs were mostly for monks and scholars squinting over manuscripts, but soon they spread to anyone who wanted to look both clever and see the page.

Renaissance Upgrades ✨

By the 1400s, concave lenses arrived to help the short sighted. Cue a cheer from tailors, sailors, and craftsmen everywhere. Over the next few centuries, frames became more practical, including pince nez styles that perched delicately on the nose. (Stylish, yes. Comfortable? Not so much.)

Franklin’s Big Idea 🇺🇸

In the 1780s, Benjamin Franklin grew tired of swapping between two pairs of glasses, so he invented bifocals. One lens, two prescriptions. Genius. And proof that sometimes laziness really is the mother of invention.

19th–20th Century: From Function to Fashion 👩🎤

Mass production made glasses affordable for everyone, and frames quickly became a style statement. The 1950s brought glamorous cat eyes, the 60s went bold and mod, John Lennon made round frames cool again in the 70s, and by the 80s, oversized specs ruled the world.

Today: Clear Vision, Big Style 💫

Now we’ve got ultra lightweight materials, scratch resistant lenses, blue light filters, and frames in every colour and shape imaginable. Glasses are no longer just a necessity, they’re part of your personality. Whether you go sleek and subtle or bold and playful, specs today are all about YOU.

 

👓 At ineedSPEX, we love being part of this long (and stylish) history. From vintage classics to modern designs, our frames prove one thing: seeing clearly has always looked good.