Key Takeaways

  • The eyeglasses invention dates back to the late 13th century in Italy, credited to early craftsmen who combined lenses to correct vision.
  • Over time, major innovations like bifocals, safety glasses, and smart glasses revolutionized the eyewear industry.
  • Notable inventors—from Benjamin Franklin to modern vision-tech pioneers—advanced lens technology, frame materials, and digital enhancements.
  • Patents protect new eyeglass technologies, including designs for computer-assisted lenses, augmented reality eyewear, and binocular viewing systems.
  • Today, eyeglass innovation continues through AI-driven and adaptive lenses, merging medical, optical, and digital technologies.

Eyeglasses patents are granted to inventors who desire to protect an idea or invention relating to eyewear, glasses, spectacles, and other forms relating to vision. Here a few noteworthy eyeglass patents filed in the past.

Patents by the Inventor of Glasses

Reginald Henry Bradshaw invented glasses, monocles, and spectacles with many improvements beginning in 1919. His vision was to aid in the improvement of eyesight in the aged and those born with poor eyesight. 

He obtained the following patents:

  • Patent number 1337818, issued in April 1920 for rimless spectacles and eyeglasses. 
  • Patent number GB356832, obtained in England in June of 1930 for a new method of manufacturing graduated tinted glass.
  • Patent number GB463000, obtained in England in November of 1935 for improving glasses, spectacles, monocles, etc.

His rimless eyeglasses offered better visibility. The new method for graduated tinted glass was used to create eyeglasses with tinted lenses and even thickness throughout the glass, as well as to improve their durability. His improvements of spectacles included the ability to remove lenses from frames easily.

Origins and Early Development of the Eyeglasses Invention

The first eyeglasses invention is generally credited to Italian monks and artisans in the late 1200s. Early prototypes featured two convex lenses mounted in frames made from wood or bone, held up to the eyes by hand rather than worn on the face. The earliest reference to eyeglasses appears around 1286 in Pisa, Italy, suggesting they were created to aid monks and scholars suffering from farsightedness.

By the 15th century, eyeglasses had spread throughout Europe, becoming more accessible as literacy and printing increased. Artisans refined the curvature of glass lenses and experimented with materials like leather and metal for frames. The invention’s impact was profound—it allowed scholars, artists, and scientists to work longer and more precisely, influencing the Renaissance itself.

Eyeglasses Augmented by Computer

When an individual's optic nerve is damaged, he or she is left with a dull sight with colors turned to gray, blurred lines and edges, and details difficult to make out. Standard glasses do not improve the sight of such individuals. This is because the issue has to do with the transferring of information to the brain regarding light intake, not the focus and size of objects or print. 

Optometrist and inventor, Ronald Siwoff, patented an idea for glasses that employ the help of a computer to enhance what a person sees through the glasses with improvements in contrast, brightness, and sharpness of surroundings. 

A small video camera found in the frame of the glasses uses basic technology to take in a picture. A computer will then change the image to computer code, so the system can read the image and improve visibility for the wearer. The instantly enhanced image is then projected on the lens right in front of the eye, providing improved vision for those with optic nerve damage. 

It's easy to make images appear sharper when contrast is increased by putting pure white or black in place of any gray area for added boldness. 

The tougher improvements come with the attempt to aid in the vision of individuals with deficiencies in specific colors. Those who can't see the color green well might have it replaced with the color red. These smart glasses would be specially made for each individual's visual deficiencies. 

This patent led to later inventions of smart glasses and products like NuEyes.

Major Eyeglasses Innovations and Patents Through History

Beyond early glass lenses, the eyeglasses invention evolved dramatically over the centuries through key patented innovations:

  • Bifocals (1784): Benjamin Franklin created bifocals by merging two lenses in one frame—one for distance and one for reading. This concept is still used in modern multifocal lenses.
  • Safety Glasses (1909): Pioneered by P. Johnson, safety eyewear became essential for industrial and laboratory work.
  • Sunglasses (1929): Sam Foster introduced mass-produced sunglasses in the U.S., protecting eyes from harmful UV rays while launching a fashion trend.
  • Plastic Lenses (1940s): Lightweight and shatter-resistant lenses replaced traditional glass.
  • Photochromic Lenses (1960s): Patented by Corning Glass Works, these lenses darken in sunlight and return to clear indoors.

Each advancement reflects a combination of optical science and material engineering, ensuring the eyeglasses invention continually adapts to changing human needs.

Patent for an Eyeglass Interface System

The idea for a pair of glasses with a full interface system integrated was invented by Mark B. Spitzer and filed for a patent in 1998. This invention paved the way for developing technology for smart glasses today. 

In Spitzer's original invention, audio and visual technologies were mounted directly onto the frames of the glasses. One side of the frames would house the display, which could project an image onto the lens to be seen by the person wearing the glasses. The opposite side of the glasses would hold the audio or video technology used to communicate with the display side. 

The side of the frames with the audio or visual technology might use a microphone or small camera to take in information or speakers to provide information.

If a video camera is used here, it would record what the user sees. Another integrated system could track the position of his or her head. Other systems such as telephones, surveillance, and more could also be integrated into this invention. 

This invention was designed to be compact for ease and hands-free use with a sleek design, hiding all the technologies inside the glasses frames and lenses. 

Smart Glasses and Digital Vision Technology

Building on earlier eyeglasses inventions, recent patents have introduced smart glasses that combine optics with computer and AI technology. Companies such as Google, Meta, and Apple have filed patents for glasses that project digital data, capture video, or adjust to lighting conditions automatically.

These systems often integrate:

  • Augmented reality (AR) overlays for navigation or visual assistance
  • Voice activation and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Prescription adaptability for dynamic focus changes
  • Health monitoring sensors, tracking eye movement or fatigue

The fusion of optics, sensors, and computing marks a new era of wearable innovation. What began as a simple vision aid has evolved into a multifunctional device, transforming how people see and interact with the world around them.

Patent for Binocular Viewing System

The same inventor, Mark Spitzer, along with Gregory Hunter and Paul Zavracky, also patented an invention for a binocular-viewing system in 2003. They sought to create binoculars that could display images electronically.

Different users could make adjustments for their particular visual needs. This invention was designed not only for technological advancements but also for comfort for the consumer. The system is molded around the shapes and curves of the face to fit comfortably. 

The Future of the Eyeglasses Invention

Modern research into the eyeglasses invention focuses on personalized vision correction and enhanced interactivity. Developers are exploring AI-driven adaptive lenses that change curvature in real-time and eco-friendly frame materials like bioplastics and recycled metals.

Emerging technologies include:

  • Liquid lenses that adjust focus automatically
  • Smart tints that adapt to light conditions
  • Neural-linked eyewear, potentially enhancing visual processing through brain-computer interfaces

As patent filings continue to grow in this field, the eyeglasses invention stands at the crossroads of health, fashion, and technology—proving that even centuries-old ideas can evolve endlessly through innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who invented eyeglasses?
    The earliest eyeglasses were invented in 13th-century Italy, likely by artisans seeking to assist monks and scholars with vision correction.
  2. What was the first eyeglass patent?
    Early patents focused on frame design and glass tinting, such as Reginald Henry Bradshaw’s 1920 rimless spectacles patent.
  3. When were bifocals invented?
    Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals in 1784 to help wearers see both near and distant objects without changing glasses.
  4. What are smart glasses?
    Smart glasses are wearable devices integrating digital displays, cameras, and sensors, enhancing or augmenting what the wearer sees.
  5. Can I patent my own eyeglasses invention?
    Yes. If your design or technology is new, useful, and non-obvious, you can apply for a utility or design patent through the USPTO. An experienced patent attorney can help ensure proper protection.

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