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Spectacles Gallery



  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.

 

 

 


  The Invention of Spectacles

The Invention of Spectacles and their early development.  

  Rivet Spectacles

The earliest spectacle frame technology  


  Seventeenth Century Spectacles

The development of spectacles in the seventeenth century.  

  A Bit on the Side - The Development of Spectacle Sides

The surprisingly late development of spectacle sides  


  Eighteenth Century Spectacles

The development of spectacles in the eighteenth century  

  Nineteenth Century Spectacles

The development of spectacles in the nineteenth century  


  Scissor Spectacles

At the cutting edge of eyewear?  

  Quizzing Glasses (Quizzers)

For masterminds and dunces  


  Reading Glasses & Magnifiers

When is a magnifying glass not a magnifying glass?  

  Twentieth Century Spectacles

The development of spectacles in the twentieth century  


  Driving Spectacles

Spectacles for the motorist  

  Twenty First Century Spectacles

The development of spectacles in the twenty first century  





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