How did people see before glasses?

Around 1286 in modern-day Italy, an unknown craftsman fastened two glass lenses to a frame likely made of wood or bone to create the first eyeglasses.

Click here for fewer emails from History Facts

What Did People Do Before Eyeglasses?

Science & Industry

A round 1286 in modern-day Italy, an unknown craftsman fastened two glass lenses to a frame likely made of wood or bone to create the first eyeglasses. But 1286 is not that long ago in the larger picture of human existence. So how did people with subpar vision get by before there was a convenient LensCrafters to pop into?

More on Technology

01. Why Do Clocks Move Clockwise? ➝

02. Listen to the Oldest Recording of a Human Voice ➝

03. What Did People Use for IDs Before Photos? ➝

Recommended Reading

World History

The Oldest Food Brands in Your Pantry ➝

World History

What Did People Do Before Shampoo? ➝

+ Load more

A daily digest of history's most fascinating happenings.

We hope you enjoyed this email. If you'd like to receive fewer emails from History Facts, click here.

If you'd like to unsubscribe from all History Facts emails, click here.

About Contact us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Do Not Sell My Info

Contact us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

Do Not Sell My Info

Copyright © 2026 History Facts. All rights reserved.

325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654

Advertisements: Powered by • AdChoices

Tweet