The story of sunglasses stretches back thousands of years. The Inuit carved “snow goggles” from natural materials like bone and antler, with narrow slits to block blinding glare and prevent snow blindness. By the 12th century in China, flat smoky quartz lenses appeared, although these were worn by judges in court to conceal expressions rather than protect eyes. Such examples reveal how tinted lenses have always served as cultural statements as much as functional tools.

In the 18th century, English optician James Ayscough experimented with blue and green lenses, believing tinted glass could improve vision. It wasn’t until the 20th century, however, that tinted eyewear found its modern role—first for medical patients with light sensitivity, then for beachgoers and film stars seeking relief from harsh studio lamps and the public eye. Hollywood glamour transformed sunglasses into a fashionable accessory, setting the stage for the trends that would define the decades ahead.