⏲️ Estimated reading time: 3 min
Glasses are part of our everyday lives, but did you know they were invented over 700 years ago? Discover who created the first glasses, where they originated, and how they evolved through history.
Who Invented Glasses? The Story of an Invention That Changed the World
Glasses are now a common and essential item for millions of people around the world. People use them for vision correction or fashion, and they carry a fascinating history that began more than 700 years ago. But who actually invented glasses? The answer isn’t straightforward, as their origin involves mystery and historical debate.
The First Historical Mentions
The earliest documented references to glasses appeared around 1290, in Italy. A Dominican friar, Fra Giordano da Pisa, mentioned in a sermon in 1306 that “it’s not yet 20 years since the art of making glasses emerged, and people now see better thanks to this invention.”
His statement places the invention of glasses around 1285–1290. However, historians still debate the exact name of the inventor.
Salvino D’Armate – Inventor or Legend?
A popular legend credits Salvino D’Armate, a Florentine, with inventing glasses in 1284. According to tradition, his tomb bore the inscription: “Salvino D’Armato degli Armati of Florence invented glasses.” Unfortunately, modern historians believe someone added this inscription much later, and no solid evidence confirms the story.
Venice and the Master Glassmakers
Another plausible theory points to the glassmakers of Venice, especially those from Murano, who mastered the refined craft of glassmaking. These artisans likely played a vital role in crafting early lenses since they had access to the tools and knowledge needed to produce optically clear surfaces.
What Did the First Glasses Look Like?
Craftsmen designed the earliest glasses to correct presbyopia the difficulty of seeing nearby objects, which commonly affects older adults. They used convex lenses mounted in simple wooden or metal frames fastened with rivets. People held these glasses by hand during reading sessions, as they didn’t include side arms for the ears.
How Glasses Spread and Evolved
The spread of glasses accelerated after the printing press emerged in the mid-15th century. As more people accessed books, the demand for vision correction grew rapidly.
- Glasses for myopia (with concave lenses) appeared later, in the 15th century.
- Craftsmen introduced models with side arms (for ears) in the 18th century.
- Sunglasses and photochromic lenses came much later.
Innovations in Modern Eyewear
Manufacturers now produce glasses using cutting-edge technology:
- Ultra-thin lenses with anti-reflective coatings
- Progressive (multifocal) lenses
- Lightweight frame materials
- Smart glasses with digital features
These advances transformed glasses from a functional necessity into stylish, tech-savvy accessories.
Final Thoughts
Although we don’t know exactly who invented glasses, Italy clearly gave birth to this life-changing innovation. From simple frames and hand-cut lenses to high-tech smart glasses, this invention reshaped the way people see the world – literally.
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🏷️ Tags: history of glasses, Salvino D’Armate, Fra Giordano, medieval optics, Murano glass, Italian inventions, eyewear evolution, printing and reading, vision correction, modern eyewear
📣 Hashtags: #glasses, #history, #innovation, #Italy, #vision, #Murano, #printing, #myopia, #presbyopia, #lenses
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