major studio 1: project 1
cultural and technologial history of an everyday object
the contact lens
Technological History:
Many people may think of the contact lens as a more modern technology, however, the
technology behind the contact lens was first conceived by Leonardo da Vinci in 1508. Although da Vinci didn't
use his theory for altering corneal power (by submerging an eye in a bowl of water) in the correction of
vision, it laid the groundwork for what would ultimately become the contact lens¹. Before I can dive
into the history of the contact lens, I should first explain a little about the anatomy of the eye,
sight, and why corrective lenses are even needed.
Anatomy of the Human Eye
As you can see from the illustrated diagram the human eye is made up of several layers of tissues,
muscles, and various parts. In a nutshell, the eye doesn't actually see an image, but rather perceives
rays of light. The perception sent along the optic nerve to the brain to be processed and
understood as an image.
Unfortunately vision is not perfect, and several factors can effect the way one sees, and ultimately
the history of eye corrections for errors of refraction (an error that occurs when one unable to
accurately perceive a ray of light) can be traced back to the use of optical instruments, such as
microscopes and telescopes, as aids to scientific inquiries. Although these types of instruments used
the same basic materials (ground-glass lenses) as glasses, and the earliest form of corrective lenses,
there was a long period of time before the connection between the two. Rudimentary eyeglasses were made
as early as the twelfth century, a lack of knowledge about the anatomy and dioptrics (how a lens actually
refracts light) that prevented any real progress from being made².
As the sciences advanced, more and more scientists contributed to the birth of the modern contact lens.
In 1636 Rene Descartes had the idea for a glass tube filled with liquid that could be placed directly on
the cornea³. Then, in 1827, English astronomer, Sir John Herschel, created a method for making a mold
of a human eye. Herschel's ideas were used by German glassblower F.A. Muller in 1887 when he invented the
first glass contact lens that could be seen through. And a year later, Swiss physician, Adolf Fick, and
French optician, Edouard Kalt, fitted the first glass contact lenses, correcting both near and farsightedness.
These heavy glass contacts covered the entire exposed surface of the eye and could only be
tolerated for a few hours4.
Ultimately glass contact lenses gave way to hard plastic lenses, introduced first by New York Optometrist,
William Feinbloom in 1963. Plastic was a favorable choice to glass because not only was it more comfortable,
but it also allowed oxygen to flow into the eye, which is necessary for good eye health. Modern soft contact
lenses were finally created in the 1950s by Czechoslovakian chemist, Otto Wichterle4.
How Oxygen Passes Through a Contact...How Contacts Fit the Eye
Today, there are many diffrent uses for contacts other than correcting near and farsightedness. There are colored lenses, which can either change or enhance eye color. Special-effects lenses are used for movies and other novelty purposes, and can give the eye an unnatural look. Prosthetic lenses can help mask a disfiguration or abnormality. UV-inhibiting lenses,which block ultraviolet light, and can actually aid in the prevention of cataracts. And hybrid lenses that use a combination of hard and soft plastics to optimize clarity and comfort5.
Cosmetic Contacts
Cultural History:
Contacts have become more and more popular for several reasons. Mainly they serve the same function as glasses, are
lightweight and less obtrusive than glasses. Also, contacts do not steam up because of weather conditions, provide a wider
field of vision, and are more practical for sporting activities3. There are a lot of stigmas attached with wearing
glasses, and over time glasses, although nothing more than optic aids and facial adornments are assumed to be in direct
correlation with the personality of the wearer. The perfect example is Superman.
Superman clearly doesn't need enhancement for his vision, but he did need a disguise. In order to create his alter ego, Clark Kent,
he had to make himself seem more human, essentially weaker and inferior. In his assumption and perception of Clark Kent, the superhero
donned a pair of glasses that automatically added a certain trait of geekiness to his persona. But the idea that glasses would make
Clark seem weak and clearly not a good candidate for the real Superman, was not born in the creation of Superman. The
negative conotation had to come from somewhere.
In fact hundreds of years ago, glasses were seen as an unpopular fashion accesory for hundreds of years. Temporary sight aids such
as eyeglasses, monocles, and lorgnettes came and went because of one simple factor: vanity. No one wanted to admit that they had
a problem with vision, so these items were made to be pulled out quickly, used, and then stashed away again. The English and the
French believed glasses were to be worn in private, and considered it a sign of weakness6.
Other cultural references include Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film,How to Marry a Millionaire, where her character preferred
walking into walls than wearing her glasses because "Men don't make passes at girls who wear glasses."6. Thriller was
a cultural phenomenon that helped launch Michael Jackson to international superstardom. At the very end of the 14 minute long music
video / mini-film, Jackson turns towards the camera, and with the use of special contacts took on the appearence of an evil being.
Cosmetic contacts are still popular today with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears who use contacts to enhance and
change the color of their eyes.
SOURCES
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1. Goodman, Christopher P., "History of the Contact Lens." August 23, 2006, http://www.contactspedia.com/history.php
2. Wade, Nicolas J., A Natural History of Vision, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1998
3. Wikipedia, http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_lens
4. eyeTopics Staff Editor, "The Birth of Contact Lenses." November 14, 2004,
http://www.eyetopics.com/articles/18/1/The-History-of-Contact-Lenses.html
5. Serge, Liz, "Contact Lens Basics." April 2007, http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/contact_lenses.htm
6. Pemberton-Sikes, Diana, "The History of Eyeglasses." http://www.sidread.com/Beauty/history-of-eyeglasses.html
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