Glasses, or spectacles as they were originally known, have been around for much longer than most people realize. The invention of glasses marked a major milestone in the history of vision correction, allowing people with impaired sight to see clearly for the first time. But what were these early vision aids actually called when they were first invented? To find out, we must go back in time to trace the origins of spectacles.
The earliest vision aids
Long before spectacles were invented in the 13th century, people had attempted to correct impaired vision using various basic magnifiers. The earliest known examples are ancient Roman and Greek lenses made from polished crystal or glass spheres filled with water. These simple magnifying glasses were called “reading stones” or “lens crystals”. They worked by enlarging text and objects when placed directly on top of them. However, they severely distorted peripheral vision and could not correct vision completely. Reading stones represented the first known vision aid, demonstrating that people had long recognized the need for magnification to enhance eyesight.
The emergence of spectacles in 13th century Italy
The first primitive eyeglasses appeared around 1280 in northern Italy. Invented by Salvino D’Armate, these initial spectacles consisted of two magnifying glass disks riveted together and balanced on the bridge of the nose. The disks were made of quartz Crystal or beryl stone and the frames crafted from leather or bone. This style of spectacles had no earpieces or temples, so they had to be balanced precariously on the nose. The Italian word for face or eyesight was vista or viso, so these early eyeglasses became known as vitreos ab oculis ad legendum—literally “eye glasses for reading”.
Due to the unstable balance, the first spectacles did not gain widespread usage. But over the next century, frame design rapidly improved. Hinging temples were added to hook over the ears, providing a more secure fit. The terms “spectacles” and “glasses” derive from the Latin word for eye – oculus. As D’Armate’s invention gained popularity across Europe, they became known in various languages as eye-glasses or spectacles.
Evolution of spectacles from the 14th-16th centuries
Over the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, spectacles evolved from crude reading aids into a more refined, versatile vision correction tool. Frames transitioned from leather and bone to lightweight metals like iron, copper, and silver. Lens production also became more sophisticated – concave lenses for myopia and convex lenses for hyperopia allowed spectacles to address varying vision needs. In 1629, the first optician’s guild was founded in Florence, regulating the craft of lens and spectacle making.
By the mid 16th century, spectacles had proliferated across Europe and become an everyday accessory, as evidenced by their appearance in medieval artworks. They were still referred to by various terms though – “glasses” in England, “berilles” in France, and “Brillen” in Germany. The range of names derives from the diverse regional languages and the continued evolution of the devices. But whether known as glasses, spectacles, or some other variation, vision aids had been radically transformed since D’Armate’s crude 13th century prototype.
Why were they called spectacles?
Out of the many early names for glasses, why did the term “spectacles” become the common usage in English? Spectacles comes from the late Middle English term “spectakle” imported from Old French, based on the Latin “spectare” meaning “to watch” or “to see”. The “-acle” ending denoted that spectacles were objects or tools used for looking at or seeing. Other languages like German and Scandinavian tongues adopted similar terms such as “brille” – derived from the German verb “brillen” meaning to shine or glisten.
But why was this particular Latin root word adopted so widely? In the 14th century when quality spectacles first appeared, they were valued not just for magnification but as wondrous curiosities. Their lens craftsmanship was a marvel of early optical science. Spectacles astounded wearers by allowing them to see clearly and bringing the world into sharper focus. Hence the name – spectacles were objects of spectacle and wonder. The name recognized that seemingly simple magnifying lenses enabled people to see in new, improved ways.
When did the term “glasses” emerge?
“Glasses” came into use later as a more familiar, everyday term in English. “Glass” traces back to the Old English word “glessum” and was associated with glassware and glass making. As lens grinding and glass manufacturing improved, glass became the common material for spectacle lenses and lent its name to the objects. Early spectacles were luxury objects, but mass production made them affordable and widespread by the 17th and 18th centuries. As spectacles transitioned from treasured curiosities to conventional accessories, “glasses” emerged as the plainspoken term.
Other languages like French also adopted equivalents of “glasses” – lunettes, derived from the French word for moon, lune. Thisstemmed from lenses initial rounded shape resembling a full moon. The technology had evolved from wondrous spectacle to mere window glass, hence the more mundane name. But glass lenses caused headaches for some, so by the 19th century simple magnifying glasses regained the sophisticated title of pince-nez – literally “nose-pinchers” in French.
Conclusion
From D’Armate’s primitive 13th century prototype to the Neuralink brain chip promised for the 2020s, vision correction technologies have undergone radical transformations. But whether referred to as spectacles, glasses, brillen or any other variation, the impact was immediate. For the first time, the visually impaired could participate fully in society. Early spectacles opened up education, business, craftsmanship, and culture. They allowed aging scholars and artisans to continue practicing their trades. Most importantly, spectacles gave the gift of independence and self-sufficiency to millions with poor eyesight. Though initially novelties for the wealthy, mass production soon made spectacles affordable and indispensable for all.
| Time Period | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greece & Rome | Reading stones, lens crystals | Spheres of polished crystal or glass filled with water used as magnification lenses |
| Circa 1280, Italy | Vitreos ab oculis ad legendum (eye-glasses for reading) | Earliest known eyeglasses – two glass or crystal disks riveted together to balance on the nose |
| 14th century Europe | Spectacles | Improved frames with hinging temples hooking over the ears |
| 16th century | Brillen (Germany); berilles (France) | Regional terms from various languages as spectacles spread across Europe |
| 17th-18th century | Glasses | Plainspoken everyday term as spectacles became conventional |
From their origins as curiosities and novelties, vision correction devices have become ubiquitous worldwide. Design and technology continue advancing rapidly – bifocals, contact lenses, LASIK surgery, and coming innovations like augmented reality glasses. But everything traces back to those first precariously balanced spectacles invented in medieval Italy. Vision correction remains a blend of cutting-edge science and simple, pragmatic aid for the billions of people who just want to see clearly. Whether called spectacles, glasses, or other variations, D’Armate’s invention left an enduring impact on human society and culture.