No Temples, No Problem!

Believe it or not, the temple pieces for eyeglasses weren’t invented until 1650, nearly 500 years after the invention of glasses! In period-films, I always see characters with monocles and other glasses with 2 lenses that they hold up to their eyes. What are they? Well, humans found ways to survive without temple pieces!

Here are ways we functioned without the temples we have grown to love in modern society:

Monocles –Through Hollywood, Monocles are mostly associated with British aristocracy of the 19^th century, this single lens is held in place by the pressure of the flesh in the eye socket. However, they were more popular in the early later 17^th century.

Quizzers – The early stages of a magnifying glass! Essentially, it is a monocle on a stick to be held up to the eye when needed.

Lorgnettes – Here we have spectacles on a stick. Sometimes, these served as more of an accessory than for function in the 19^th century. The term is derived from the French word lorgner, or takes a sidelong look at, and Middle French, from lorgne meaning, squinting

Morpheus in the Matrix wore Pince-Nez glasses

Pince-Nez – Pince-Nez literally means, “pinch nose” in French.  They are fixed to your face through a contraption that squeezes the bridge of the wearer’s nose, very uncomfortable. These became particularly popular during The Civil War when Military blockades meant and end to the import of foreign made spectacles and metal was being rationed for war efforts.

I am thankful that we no longer have to worry about these.  I don’t think the bridge of my nose could stand it!