It occurred to me that sunglasses are a remarkable cultural phenomenon. When did they become popular? And also, the psychology of concealing the eyes seems pretty extreme. While I grew up with sunglasses, they always struck me as being fake, showy, and somewhat obnoxious, but also useful and therefore forgiveable.
After looking up some of the history, I am even more impressed by the cultural phenomenon: from 1970 to 1980, they went from being used by the fringe and elite to being used by virtually every man, woman, and child in all socio-economic groups (of the US, at the very least).
To quote:
Early sunglasses served a special purpose and it wasn't to block the rays of the sun. For centuries, Chinese judges had routinely worn smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal their eye expressions in court. It wasn't until the 20th century that modern-type sunglasses came to be. In 1929, Sam Foster, founder of the Foster Grant company sold the first pair of Foster Grant sunglasses on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ.
Well-known fashion designers, as well as Hollywood stars, escalated the sunglass craze in the ‘70s with their brand-name lines. A giant industry developed where only a few decades earlier none existed. As women since ancient times had hidden seductively behind an expanded fan or a dipped parasol, modern women-and men-discovered an allure in wearing sunglasses, irrespective of solar glare.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/sunglasses.htm
After looking up some of the history, I am even more impressed by the cultural phenomenon: from 1970 to 1980, they went from being used by the fringe and elite to being used by virtually every man, woman, and child in all socio-economic groups (of the US, at the very least).
To quote:
Early sunglasses served a special purpose and it wasn't to block the rays of the sun. For centuries, Chinese judges had routinely worn smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal their eye expressions in court. It wasn't until the 20th century that modern-type sunglasses came to be. In 1929, Sam Foster, founder of the Foster Grant company sold the first pair of Foster Grant sunglasses on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ.
Well-known fashion designers, as well as Hollywood stars, escalated the sunglass craze in the ‘70s with their brand-name lines. A giant industry developed where only a few decades earlier none existed. As women since ancient times had hidden seductively behind an expanded fan or a dipped parasol, modern women-and men-discovered an allure in wearing sunglasses, irrespective of solar glare.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/sunglasses.htm
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