HOW THE WORLD GOT GLASSES
The invention of spectacles brought the world into focus, but the story of specs is not as clear as you might expect. Eyeglasses developed over time, and their origin story holds some surprises.
What are the greatest breakthroughs humans have made since inventing the wheel? In 2013, The Atlantic magazine posed this question to a panel of experts, including scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and historians. When the publication’s editors combined their answers into a master list, eyeglasses came in at number five, behind only modern electronics, penicillin, electricity, and the printing press.
If you disagree with that ranking, try this quick experiment: Rub a bit of soap on a piece of glass and hold the glass in front of your eyes. Or if you wear glasses or contacts, remove them. Now keep reading. Oh, wait—you can’t, because you can’t see clearly enough. As anyone who needs
