A Historic Perspective

In the beginnings

As it was not initially possible to cast glass without bubbles, the first visual aids were made primarily of quartz, rock crystal or green, semiprecious gems, so-called beryl. Flat on one side and ground on the other side to form a convex shape, these were placed directly on top of the text to be read.

In all likelihood, the first real spectacles were produced towards the end of the 13th century in Pisa, Italy.

In Murano near Venice in 1305, two lenses were mounted in rings featuring a handle-like projection, and the handles were then riveted together. This was

the birth of what was known as riveted spectacles which were used right into the 16th century.

Spectacles became more and more elegant as time went by. Wood or leather was initially used for the frames, and later gold, silver and tortoiseshell, decorated with precious stones, pearls and gems.

In the 19th century, pincenez, temple and ear spectacles were worn, but it was not until the 20th century that glasses received their current shape and form.