Who Made Oversized Sunglasses Famous? Find Out in Our Eyewear Evolution Quiz!

When were the first eyeglasses invented?

500 AD

1280s

1600s

1800s

The first wearable eyeglasses were invented in the 1280s in Italy. They significantly improved the ability to see for those with vision impairments.

What material were early eyeglasses frames primarily made from?

Plastic

Bone

Glass

Leather

Early eyeglasses frames were often made from leather, as well as from other materials like bone and metal, but leather was common for its flexibility and availability.

What style of eyeglasses became popular in the 1950s?

Aviator

Cat-eye

Round

Square

In the 1950s, the cat-eye glasses style became extremely popular, especially among women, characterized by an upswept angle and often embellished with rhinestones.

Which innovation in eyeglasses occurred in the 1780s?

Tinted lenses

Bifocals

Foldable temples

Nose pads

Benjamin Franklin is credited with inventing bifocal lenses in the 1780s, which allowed for both near and distance vision correction in a single lens.

What was a major eyeglass frame material in the 1960s?

Wood

Bamboo

Plastic

Titanium

In the 1960s, plastic frames became highly popular due to their versatility in color, shape, and size, marking a significant shift from earlier materials like metal and horn.

When did eyeglasses with spring hinges first appear?

1920s

1930s

1980s

2000s

Spring hinges, which allow the arms of glasses to flex outward without breaking, were introduced in the 1980s, adding durability and comfort to eyewear.

Which culture is believed to have used the earliest form of magnifying glass?

Roman

Egyptian

Chinese

Greek

Ancient Greeks are believed to have used simple glass and crystal lenses as magnifying glasses, demonstrating early optical science.

What technological advancement in the 1930s impacted eyeglasses?

Polarized lenses

Contact lenses

Transition lenses

Ultralight frames

Polarized lenses were invented in 1936, significantly reducing glare and improving visual clarity in bright conditions, an important innovation for sunglasses.

In what decade did wraparound sunglasses become fashionable?

1920s

1950s

1970s

1990s

Wraparound sunglasses gained popularity in the 1990s, favored for sports and high-exposure environments due to their ability to provide enhanced peripheral vision and protection.

What feature was added to eyeglasses in the 20th century to improve fit?

Adjustable stems

Rubber grips

Nose pads

Clip-on sunglasses

Nose pads were added to frames in the early 20th century to improve the fit of eyeglasses on the bridge of the nose, enhancing comfort and preventing slippage.

Which type of eyeglasses was popular in the 1920s?

Pince-nez

Monocle

Rimless

Full-rim

Pince-nez glasses, which clip onto the nose without earpieces, were widely used in the early 20th century and epitomized the style of the 1920s.

Who popularized oversized sunglasses in the 1960s?

Audrey Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe

Elizabeth Taylor

Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy was known for her iconic fashion choices, including the popularization of large, oversized sunglasses during the 1960s.

What was the primary function of “scissor-glasses”?

Fashion accessory

For nearsightedness

For farsightedness

For easy storage

Scissor-glasses featured a unique design that allowed them to fold up compactly, making them easier to store and carry.

What feature did the 18th-century “wig spectacles” have?

Curled sides

Extended arms

Loop for wig

Nose bridge

Wig spectacles had loops at the ends of the arms to hook into a wig, ensuring they stayed in place when worn.

When were the first sunglasses sold to the public?

1750s

1920s

1930s

1960s

The first sunglasses specifically designed to protect eyes from the sun were sold to the public in the 1920s.

What caused the spike in eyeglasses’ popularity in the 1300s?

Fashion trends

Medical discoveries

Black plague

Church endorsements

The Black Plague led to a greater emphasis on scholarly work as a means of understanding and combating the disease, which increased the demand for eyeglasses.