Welcome to the only site on the internet dedicated to the collecting
of antique safety glasses. I have scoured the country side in effort to
amass the region's finest specimens of protective eyewear. It is my hope
to preserve the history of these artifacts so that future generations may
learn about, and enjoy the fun and exciting world of safety
glasses.
But what exactly are safety glasses and why do people use
them? Safety glasses are any piece of eyewear, the purpose of which is
optical protection. Ever since man first poked themselves with a splinter
of wood or a shard of stone, there has been a need to protect the eyes.
Fashioned out of stone and tree bark, the earliest pairs of safety glasses
were awkward to wear, and often caused more harm than they
prevented.
The
Industrial Revolution further fostered the need for protective spectacles,
as workers were losing their sight at an ever alarming rate. Thus, the
first commercial pair of safety glasses were born. Lightweight, compact,
and comfortable, these protective eyepieces were at once popular. No
longer would anyone lose their sight by intrusion of an airborne
projectile.
Today's safety glasses offer even greater protection at
just the fraction of cost and weight. They have proved quite popular in many
occupations requiring physical as well as mental labor. Style, however, is
one aspect that today's designers of protective eyewear no longer
consider. Gone are the fanciful optical protection of days gone by, though as you are about to see, they are not forgotten.
-- Attention! --
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to announce the opening of the Antique Safety Glasses Database. Many new specimens have been added. Click on any thumbnail image to see a larger, more detailed photograph.
Enjoy your visit, and please send questions and comments to the address below.....Enjoy!
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