When Were Sunglasses Invented?

Modern sunglasses were first mass-produced in 1929, when Sam Foster sold affordable tinted glasses on the Atlantic City boardwalk. But tinted eye protection is far older. Arctic peoples carved snow goggles more than 2,000 years ago, and judges in 12th-century China used smoky quartz lenses. So the answer to when were sunglasses invented depends on whether you mean the first eye protection or the modern accessory.

The question of when were sunglasses invented has two answers, because sunglasses were reinvented many times over. Long before they meant glamour, they meant survival, hiding a judge’s expression, or shielding a pilot’s eyes. This is the full story, from carved ivory goggles to the luxury shades on shelves today.

When Were Sunglasses Invented? A Timeline

Era	Milestone
Over 2,000 years ago	Inuit and Yupik peoples carve slitted snow goggles from ivory, bone and wood
12th century	Smoky quartz lenses used by judges in China
1752	James Ayscough experiments with tinted lenses in London
1913	Crookes lenses block ultraviolet light
1929	Sam Foster mass-produces affordable sunglasses in Atlantic City
1936	Edwin Land invents polarised lenses
Late 1930s	Anti-glare aviator styles developed for pilots

The Ancient Origins of Sunglasses

Arctic Snow Goggles

Many historians credit the Inuit and other Arctic peoples with the first sunglasses, though they contained no glass at all. As Smithsonian Magazine documents, they carved goggles from walrus ivory, bone, wood and caribou antler thousands of years ago.

How Snow Goggles Worked

A narrow horizontal slit let in just enough light to see while blocking the blinding glare reflected off snow and ice, preventing snow blindness. It was a brilliant, intuitive grasp of optics long before the science was understood.

Smoky Quartz in 12th-Century China

In 12th-century China, flat panes of smoky quartz were set in frames and used by judges. These lenses offered no vision correction; they simply concealed a judge’s expression during trials, so mystique came before sun protection.

The First Tinted Lenses in Europe

Tinted eyewear reached Europe far later. According to History.com, the Roman emperor Nero is said to have watched gladiator fights through a cut emerald, though historians treat this as legend. The real milestone came in 1752, when the London optician James Ayscough experimented with blue and green tinted lenses, though he intended them to correct vision rather than to block the sun.

When Were Modern Sunglasses Invented?

So when were sunglasses invented in the form we recognise today? The answer is 1929. Entrepreneur Sam Foster began selling inexpensive, mass-produced sunglasses from a Woolworth on the Atlantic City boardwalk, and they became an instant phenomenon. For the first time, sun protection was affordable to everyone.

Polarised Lenses and Aviators

Two breakthroughs quickly followed. In 1936, Edwin Land applied his Polaroid filter to eyewear, creating polarised lenses that sharply reduced glare. Soon after, anti-glare styles were engineered for pilots, giving rise to the aviator that remains iconic today.

The Hollywood Effect

Through the 1920s and 1930s, film stars wore dark glasses to shield their eyes from studio lighting and to move through crowds unrecognised.

From Function to Fashion

Fans copied them, and by 1937 around 20 million pairs were sold in the United States in a single year. Sunglasses had completed their journey from tool to status symbol.

What Separates Real Sunglasses from Cheap Ones

The history of sunglasses shows why quality matters. Early snow goggles and quartz panes reduced glare but did nothing for eye health. A fine modern pair should offer more:

→ Full ultraviolet protection that guards against cataracts and long-term damage
→ Optical-grade lenses with polarisation to cut glare cleanly
→ A precise, comfortable fit tailored to your face
→ Craftsmanship and materials that last for years

Sunglasses, Heritage and India

As sunglasses spread worldwide, India’s established opticians brought them to discerning customers. Lawrence & Mayo, founded in 1877, was already renowned for precision eyewear, so much so that Queen Mary was seen wearing the house’s “glare protectors” at the 1923 Wimbledon finals. That royal association is one chapter in its 149-year legacy.

Did you know? Over the decades, Lawrence & Mayo became a destination where international eyewear houses chose to introduce themselves to India, a distinction woven through its heritage.

What Sets the Boutique Apart Today

Today that tradition continues at the Lawrence & Mayo Boutique, home to a curated collection of the world’s finest luxury sunglasses, fitted by expert optometrists who make sure your shades protect as beautifully as they look.

When Were Sunglasses Invented? The Bottom Line

So, when were sunglasses invented? The honest answer is: more than once. Eye protection began with Arctic snow goggles thousands of years ago, gained tinted lenses in the 18th century, and became the modern accessory we know in 1929. To experience where that long story leads, explore the Lawrence & Mayo Boutique →.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were sunglasses invented?

Modern sunglasses were first mass-produced in 1929 by Sam Foster. Earlier forms of tinted eye protection date back thousands of years, including Inuit snow goggles and 12th-century Chinese smoky quartz lenses.

Who invented sunglasses?

No single person invented sunglasses. Arctic peoples created the first snow goggles, and Sam Foster is credited with the first mass-produced modern sunglasses in 1929.

What were the first sunglasses made of?

The earliest snow goggles were carved from walrus ivory, bone, wood and caribou antler, with narrow slits instead of lenses.

Did the Chinese invent sunglasses?

The Chinese did not invent sunglasses, but in the 12th century judges used flat panes of smoky quartz to hide their expressions, an early use of a darkened lens.

Did early sunglasses protect against UV rays?

No. Early tinted lenses reduced glare but offered no ultraviolet protection. Genuine UV protection is a feature of modern, quality sunglasses.

When did sunglasses become fashionable?

Sunglasses became a fashion accessory in the 1920s and 1930s, popularised by Hollywood film stars, and have been a style staple ever since.