While Emperor Nero famously watched gladiatorial contests through emeralds, the true origins of sunglasses lie in 12th-century China. There, judges and rulers employed lenses crafted from smoky quartz to shield their eyes from the sun’s glare and, cleverly, to conceal their facial expressions during court proceedings. These early sunglasses, though not offering UV protection or vision enhancement, provided a welcome respite from the sun.
The 20th century marked a turning point. Hollywood stars embraced sunglasses to combat the harsh studio lights, and in 1929, Sam Foster pioneered mass production in America through Foster Grant. The invention of Polaroid filters in 1936 ushered in UV protection, transforming sunglasses into essential items for health, fashion, and comfort. During World War II, soldiers benefited from sunglasses in sun-drenched theaters of operation. Despite limited advancements in materials and design over the past seven decades, sunglasses remain a ubiquitous and highly sought-after accessory.