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Who invented wearing glasses?

Published in History of Inventions 1 min read

Salvino D'Armate is most often credited with inventing wearable eyeglasses around 1284.

While the exact origin of eyeglasses remains somewhat debated, Salvino D'Armate, an Italian from Florence, is widely regarded as the inventor of the first wearable glasses. These early glasses were primarily designed to correct hyperopia (farsightedness) and were designed to perch on the bridge of the nose. Before the advent of glasses, people used magnifying glasses or other tools to aid their vision, but D'Armate's invention marked a significant step towards convenient and wearable vision correction. It is worth noting that the precise details of D'Armate's life and invention are somewhat obscured by historical records and conflicting claims, but he remains the most frequently cited figure.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

  • Inventor: Salvino D'Armate (most commonly credited).
  • Approximate Year: 1284.
  • Purpose: Correction of hyperopia (farsightedness).
  • Design: Perched on the bridge of the nose.

It's important to differentiate these early eyeglasses from modern sunglasses. Sunglasses, as we know them, were invented much later, in 1929, by Sam Foster.

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