Sunglasses, invented by Sir William Crookes, are one of the most popular accessories nowadays.People in comparatively cooler regions don’t step outside their houses without wearing shades. They have evolved into becoming an integral part of our daily lives.Wearing sunglasses has become the most common trend among youngsters and people belonging to middle-age groups. Apart from looking trendy, sunglasses are also used to protect the eyes from the sun’s intense rays.Let’s dive into the facts about this fashion accessory that is more of a necessity, considering the rise of global warming.Discovery Of SunglassesTo begin with, the first thing that you should know is the history. So here we have listed some facts regarding the discovery of sunglasses:Initially, Eskimos were seen wearing snow goggles that protected their eyes from the sun rays reflected by the snow.Snow goggles were made of leather and wood, with small slits that allowed a small amount of light to be passed through them.Snow goggles were made around 2,000 years ago to protect the eyes from snow blindness.Earlier, Ray-Ban aviators were invented to provide a protective shield to pilots from high-altitude glare.The Chinese people introduced the first pair of sunglasses in the 12th century.The truth is that, initially, sunglasses were not used as fashion wear.Sam Foster first sold trendy glasses to the beachgoers in the Atlantic.Earlier, they were made of thick glasses to provide high-level optical clarity.James Ayscough invented eyewear with colored lenses to treat color blindness.Another fact is that the Roman Emperor, Nero, watched gladiator fights through emeralds.A complete glass shade is made of three parts, that is, frame, temple, and lenses.All these parts are made separately and then assembled.The design is made using computer programming.Luxottica produces 70% of the world’s designer sunglasses.Over the years, Luxottica - an Italian Company, has created a monopoly in the sunglass industry.A European company - Porsche Design, introduced sunglasses with interchangeable lenses.Ray-Ban is another popular brand that continuously maintains a great position in the sunglass market with innovative ideas.The first fashion brand to get the license to manufacture eyewear was Christian Dior. Different Types Of SunglassesMany types of these accessories are not modern inventions, and many brands such as Ralph Lauren and Sunglass Hut. They are adorned by celebrities like Andy Warhol and James Dean.There are many styles of sunglasses available in the market like cat-eye, round eyeglasses, rectangle lenses, tinted lenses, and more.There are also polarised and tinted eyeglasses that each offer a different significance.The sunglass fashion trends change every year from rectangular lenses, tinted sunglasses, cat-eye, aviators to small lenses.Another intriguing thing about these glasses is that no matter how much they change according to the trends, they always come back in fashion in an updated version.The latest fashion trends regarding sunglasses can be concluded from magazines.You should always know which type of eyewear suits your face shape.Elton John - one of the famous music legends, is never seen without his shades. Most people are fascinated by Sir Elton John’s glasses. Sir Elton John has a great collection of bold and designer sunglasses.Shatterproof lenses are another type, and as the name says, these do not break or shatter.Uses Of SunglassesThere are multiple uses of sunglasses that vary from person to person. For example, some people wear them for eye protection from harmful UV rays from the Sun (which is why they are called sunglasses) and debris, while others wear them for fashion.Initially, Chinese judges used these sunglasses in the courtroom to get emotionally detached and hide the expressions during the court hearing.Blind people also wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from hazardous particles in the atmosphere.Glasses play an integral role in protecting your eye health when you step out of the house.Glasses are also used while skiing and snowboarding to protect the eyes from airborne snow. Importance Of SunglassesSunglasses have had their importance since the time they were discovered. Some the facts related to their importance in people’s daily lives are mentioned below:Over the years, sunglasses have been used to protect the eyes from harmful sun rays and dust particles in the atmosphere.National Sunglasses Day is celebrated on June 27 every year.People started celebrating National Sunglasses Day in 2019.This day is celebrated to cherish the importance of wearing sunglasses.Apart from being important in many different ways, sunglasses have become one of the essential fashion accessories nowadays.You would be truly astounded to find out that the eyewear market is on constant acceleration.A pair of shades is broken or lost every 14 minutes.According to research, a pair of glasses is sold every 90 seconds on E-bay.Around four million pairs of eyewear contribute to the yearly wastage.Only 25% of purchased lenses are worn to protect eyes; the rest are worn for fashion.A great debate has been prevailing, whether the eyebrows should be visible over the glasses or not.After Marilyn Monroe wore them in ‘How To Marry A Millionaire’, cat-eye sunglasses became a popular style.Wooden sunglasses are becoming popular; they provide UV protection and are also environment-friendly.Since the 12th century, this eyewear accessory has been continuously evolving to fit fashion trends.Sunglasses are also a hit in pop culture. Many songs like ‘Cheap Sunglasses’, and ‘Sunglasses at Night’ have been sung about this eyewear.One of the most expensive pairs of sunglasses was sold for $159,900.The cheapest eyewear can be bought for around $10.The sunglass fashion industry is enormous, but wearing shades is not just about good looks and fashion.It’s beneficial to search for the best quality products while buying eyewear.Low-quality sunglasses can make your eyes prone to cataracts rather than providing UV protection.Research suggests that wearing sunglasses can protect your eyelids from skin cancer.
Sunglasses, invented by Sir William Crookes, are one of the most popular accessories nowadays.