Spectacles gallery (original) (raw)

Elkington type bifocal spectacles

The British Optical Association Museum is one of the world's foremost authorities on the history of spectacles. The contents of this online exhibition are the result of several decades of research carried out by museum staff and supporters. The text has been subject to detailed peer review and is constantly revised to reflect the latest scholarship. We believe this is the most reliable history of spectacles available on the web.

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  1. The invention of spectacles

The invention of spectacles

How and where glasses may have begun 2. Rivet spectacles

Rivet spectacles

The earliest form of spectacles 3. Seventeenth century spectacles

Seventeenth century spectacles

Eyewear in the 1600s 4. A bit on the side

A bit on the side

The development of spectacle sides 5. Eighteenth century spectacles

Eighteenth century spectacles

Eyewear in the 1700s 6. The Vickris-Hyam spectacles

The Vickris-Hyam spectacles

A special pair of spectacles with a family history 7. Nineteenth century spectacles

Nineteenth century spectacles

Eyewear in the 1800s 8. Scissor spectacles

Scissor spectacles

The cutting edge of eyewear 9. Quizzing glasses (Quizzers)

Quizzing glasses (Quizzers)

A single lens to peer through 10. Monocles

Monocles

A single lens to wear in the socket 11. Reading glasses and magnifiers

Reading glasses and magnifiers

Not what the phrase means today 12. Lorgnettes and folding eyeglasses

Lorgnettes and folding eyeglasses

Spectacles on the end of handles 13. Twentieth century spectacles

Twentieth century spectacles

Eyewear in the 1900s 14. NHS Spectacles

NHS Spectacles

Free glasses for all...for a while 15. Dr Dujardin's Luminous Spectacles

Dr Dujardin's Luminous Spectacles

Seeing lights 16. Driving spectacles

Driving spectacles

Put these on your hooter 17. Twenty first century spectacles

Twenty first century spectacles

Eyewear in the 2000s