SunglassesBrown sunglassesSunglasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to screen out strong light from the eyes. Many people find direct sunlight too bright to be comfortable, especially when reading from paper on which the sun directly shines. In outdoor activities like skiing and flying, the eye can receive more light than usual. It has been recommended to wear these kind of glasses on sunny days to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to the development of a cataract. Sunglasses have also been associated with celebrities and film actors primarily due to the desire to mask identity, but in part due to the lighting involved in production being typically stronger than natural light and uncomfortable to the naked eye. From the 1950s to the 1990s sunglasses were popular as a fashion statement, especially on the beach. Augusto Pinochet sits with sunglasses in the front of the Chilean JuntaUsesHiding one's eyes has implications in face-to-face communication: It can hide weeping, being one of the signs of mourning, makes eye contact impossible which can be intimidating, as in the stereotype of the guardian of a chain gang, or can show detachment, which is considered cool in some circles. Many cultures do not take them kindly. Darkened sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a fashion accessory. Note that normal glasses are very rarely worn without a practical purpose. Curiously, they can project an image of uncool nerdiness that sunglasses do not have. The impact on nonverbal communication and the cool image can be the reasons for wearing sunglasses by night or indoors. People also wear sunglasses when they don't want others to see that they're high by looking at their bloodshot eyes. ComfortEyeglasses improve visual comfort. Various types of disposable sunglasses are dispensed to patients after receiving mydriatic eye drops during eye examinations. ProtectionIt is important that the makers of one's sunglasses ensure that the glasses protect against UV (ultraviolet) rays. In the European Union, a CE mark () identifies glasses fulfilling quality regulations. In the preparation for solar eclipses, health authorities often warn against looking at the sun through only sunglasses. The rule of thumb is, the more expensive and the more known the manufacteror of the sunglasses the more protection. Cheaper sunglasses look good but maximum protection is not guaranteed. Some sunglasses also pass ANSI Z87.1 requirements for basic impact and high impact protection. These are voluntary standards, so not all sunglasses comply, nor are manufacturers required to comply. In the basic impact test, a 1 in (2.54 cm) steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50 in (127 cm). In the high velocity test, a 1/4 in (6.35mm) steel ball is shot at the lens at 150 ft/s(45.72 m/s). In both tests, no part of the lens can touch the eye. ConstructionLensThe color of the lens can vary by style, fashion, and purpose, but for general use, green, grey, or brown is recommended to avoid or minimize color distortion, that could be dangerous when, for instance, driving a car. Grey lenses are considered neutral because they do not enhance contrast or distort colors. Brown and green lenses cause some minimal color distortion, but have contrast-enhancing properties. Red lenses are good for medium and lower light conditions because they are good at enhancing contrast but causes color distortion. Orange and yellow lenses have the best contrast enhancement and depth perception but cause color distortion. Yellow lenses are commonly used by golfers and shooters for its contrast enhancement and depth perception properties. Blue and purple lenses offer no real benefits and are mainly cosmetic. Clear lenses are used typically to protect the eyes from impact, debris, dust, or chemicals. Some sunglasses with interchangeable lens have optional clear lenses to protect the eyes during low light or night time activities. Some models have polarized lenses to reduce glare caused by light reflected from polarizing surfaces such as water as well as by polarized diffuse sky radiation (skylight). Some models use a degradation where the top of the glass (through which the sky is looked at) is darker and the bottom is transparent. A mirrored coating can also be applied to the lens. This mirrored coating reflects some of the light when it hits the lens before it is transmitted through the lens making it useful in bright conditions. These mirrored coatings can be made any color by the manufacturer for styling and fashion purposes. The color of the mirrored surface is irrelevant to the color of the lens. For example, a gray lens can have a blue mirror coating, and a brown lens can have a silver coating. These type of sunglasses are sometimes called mirrorshades. The manufacturer, any of the above features: color, polarization, degradation, and mirroring, can be combined into a set of lenses for a pair of sunglasses. With the introduction of office computing, ergonomists can recommend mildly tinted glasses for display operators to increase contrast. Corrective lenses can be darkened to serve the same purpose, or secondary clip-on dark lenses can be placed in front of the regular lenses. Some lenses gradually darken with bright light and lighten in darkness. These are known as photochromic lenses. People with severe visual impairment, such as the blind, often wear sunglasses so they do not make others uncomfortable with the fact that they cannot make eye contact with them (not seeing eyes may be better than seeing eyes which seem to look in the wrong direction), or to hide the eyes if their appearance is abnormal, for example due to cataracts. Before the introduction of sunglasses, one-eyed people could wear an eyepatch to not disturb other people. Some people who are severely visually impaired but still sighted wear sunglasses in order to protect their vision against glare. Sunglass lenses are made from either glass or plastic. Plastic lenses are typically made from acrylic, polycarbonate, or CR-39. Glass lenses have the best optical clarity and scratch resistance, but are heavier than plastic lenses. They can also shatter or break on impact. Plastic lenses are lighter than glass lenses, but are more prone to scratching. They do however, offer more resistance to shattering than glass. Polycarbonate lenses are the lightest, and are also almost shatterproof, making them good for impact protection. CR-39 lenses are the most common plastic lenses, due to their low weight, high scratch resistance, low transparency for ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and other advantageous properties. FramesFrames are generally made from plastic, nylon, a metal or metal alloy. Nylon frames are usually used in sports because they are light weight and flexible. They are able to bend slightly instead of breaking when pressure is applied to them. This flex can also help the glasses grip better on the wearer's face. Metal frames are usually more rigid than nylon frames thus they can be more easily damaged when participating in sporty activities, but this is not to say that they cannot be used for such activities. Because metal frames are more rigid, some models have spring loaded hinges to help them grip the wearer's face better. The end of the ear pieces and the bridge over the nose can be textured or have a rubber or plastic material to hold better. The end of the ear pieces are usually curved so that they wrap around the ear; however, some models have straight ear pieces. Oakley, for example, has straight ear pieces on all their glasses. Frames can be made to hold the lenses in several different ways. There are three common styles: full frame, half frame, and frameless. Full frame glasses have the frame go all around the lenses. Half frames go around only half the lens, typically the frames attach to the top of the lenses and on the side near the top. Frameless glasses have no frame around the lenses and the ear stems are attached directly to the lenses. There are two styles of frameless glasses, those that have a piece of frame material connecting the two lenses together, and those that are a single lens with ear stems on each side. Some sports oriented sunglasses have interchangeable lens options. Lenses can be easily removed and swapped with a different lens, usually a different colored lens. The purpose of this is to allow the wearer to easily change lenses when light conditions or activities change. The reason for this is because the cost of a set of lenses is less than the cost of a separate pair of glasses and carrying extra lenses is less bulky than carrying multiple pairs of glasses. It also allows easy replacement of a set of lenses if they are damaged. The most common type of sunglasses with interchangable lenses have a single lens or shield that covers both eyes. Styles that use two lenses also exist, but less common. FashionOnassis glassesOnassis glasses are very large sunglasses worn by women. This style of sunglasses is said to mimic the kind most famously worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. While originally worn by Onassis in the 1960's, the glasses eventually became popular with younger American girls around the year 2000. MirrorshadesMirrorshades are sunglasses with a mirrored coating on the surface. Their popularity with police officers in the United States has earned them the nickname "cop shades". AviatorsAviators are sunglasses with a dark lens. Their popularity with the Pilots in the United States has earned them the nickname "Pilots Glasses". HistoryIt is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights through polished gems. Sunglasses were first used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. The "lenses" of these glasses were flat panes of smoky quartz, which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare. Contemporary documents describe the use of such glasses by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses. Compare the representation of "blind Justice" in Western art. James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles in the mid-18th century. These were not "sunglasses" as such; Ayscough believed blue- or green-tinted glass could correct for specific vision impairments. Protection from the sun's rays was not a concern of his. Sunglasses as such were introduced by Sam Foster in 1929. Foster found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he began selling Foster Grants from a Woolworth on the Boardwalk. Sunglasses would not become polarized, however, until 1936, when Edwin H. Land began experimenting with making lenses with his patented Polaroid filter. In 2004, Oakley developed Thump, sunglasses with built-in digital audio player. Other names for sunglassesThere are also various words referring to eyepieces with darkened lenses:
Some celebrities predominantly seen wearing sunglassesRay Charles Masayuki SuzukiSome celebrities are predominantly seen in public wearing sunglasses, even indoors. These people include:
Some fictional characters predominantly seen wearing sunglassesThe Blues Brothers' sunglasses contribute to their distinctive styleSome fictional characters are predominantly depicted as wearing sunglasses. These include:
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These include:. See also: List of telephone operating companies. Some fictional characters are predominantly depicted as wearing sunglasses. However, the list only includes providers of copper wires from the exchange to the user, not those who only supply "Voice over IP" or only transport voice signals between exchanges. These people include:. Some of them include those in the following list. Some celebrities are predominantly seen in public wearing sunglasses, even indoors. In some countries, many telephone operating companies (commonly abbreviated to telco) are in competition to provide telephone services. There are also various words referring to eyepieces with darkened lenses:. Bell Labs is a noted telephone equipment research laboratory, amongst its other research fields. In 2004, Oakley developed Thump, sunglasses with built-in digital audio player. As mentioned above VoIP is also used on private wireless networks which may or may not have a connection to the outside telephone network. Land began experimenting with making lenses with his patented Polaroid filter. In addition to replacing the PSTN, digital telephony is also competing with mobile phone networks by offering free or lower cost connections via WiFi hotspots. Sunglasses would not become polarized, however, until 1936, when Edwin H. Digital telephones use a broadband Internet connection to transmit conversations as data packets. Foster found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he began selling Foster Grants from a Woolworth on the Boardwalk. A recent Newsweek article suggested that Internet telephony may be "the next big thing." [2]. Sunglasses as such were introduced by Sam Foster in 1929. In Japan and Korea up to 10% of subscribers, as of January 2005, have switched from analog to digital telephone service. Protection from the sun's rays was not a concern of his. Also known as Internet telephony or Voice over IP (VoIP), digital telephony is a disruptive technology that is rapidly replacing traditional telephone networks. These were not "sunglasses" as such; Ayscough believed blue- or green-tinted glass could correct for specific vision impairments. These kinds of systems using VoIP are popular in hospitals and factories where the same wireless network can be used for both data and voice. James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles in the mid-18th century. Some kinds of cordless phones work like cellular phones but only within a small private network covering a building or group of buildings. Compare the representation of "blind Justice" in Western art. There are phones that work as a cordless phone when near their corresponding base station (and sometimes other base stations) and work as a wireless phone when in other locations but for a variety of reasons did not become popular. Contemporary documents describe the use of such glasses by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses. Such devices tend to be bulkier than cell-based mobile phones, as they require a large antenna or dish for communicating with the satellite, but do not require ground based transmitters, making them useful for communicating from remote areas and disaster zones. The "lenses" of these glasses were flat panes of smoky quartz, which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare. Some mobile telephones, especially those used in remote locations, where constructing a cell network would be too unprofitable or difficult, instead communicate directly with an orbiting satellite. Sunglasses were first used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. The higher frequencies also work well with various forms of multiplexing which allows more than one phone to connect to the same tower with the same set of frequencies. It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights through polished gems. By only using enough power to connect to the "nearest" cell site phones using one cell site will cause almost no interference with phones using the same frequencies on another cell site. Aviators are sunglasses with a dark lens. Radio frequencies are a limited, shared resource. Their popularity with police officers in the United States has earned them the nickname "cop shades". When a handset gets too far from a cell site, a computer system commands the handset and a closer cell site to take up the communications on a different channel without interrupting the call. Mirrorshades are sunglasses with a mirrored coating on the surface. Radio is used to communicate between a handset and nearby cell sites. While originally worn by Onassis in the 1960's, the glasses eventually became popular with younger American girls around the year 2000. Most modern mobile phone systems are cell-structured. This style of sunglasses is said to mimic the kind most famously worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The range of modern cordless phones is normally on the order of a few hundred meters. Onassis glasses are very large sunglasses worn by women. On the 2.4 GHz band, several "channels" are utilized in an attempt to guard against degradation in the quality of the voice signal due to crowding. Styles that use two lenses also exist, but less common. The 2.4 GHz cordless phones can interfere with certain wireless LAN protocols (802.11b/g) due to the usage of the same frequencies. The most common type of sunglasses with interchangable lenses have a single lens or shield that covers both eyes. Because of quality and range problems, these units were soon superseded by systems that used frequency modulation (FM) at higher frequency ranges (49 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz). It also allows easy replacement of a set of lenses if they are damaged. Initially, cordless phones used the 1.7 MHz frequency range to communicate between base and handset. The reason for this is because the cost of a set of lenses is less than the cost of a separate pair of glasses and carrying extra lenses is less bulky than carrying multiple pairs of glasses. Thus, cordless phones typically do not function during power outages. The purpose of this is to allow the wearer to easily change lenses when light conditions or activities change. Because of the power required to transmit to the handset, the base station is powered with an electronic power supply. Lenses can be easily removed and swapped with a different lens, usually a different colored lens. This permits use of the handset from any location within range of the base. Some sports oriented sunglasses have interchangeable lens options. Cordless telephones, first invented by Teri Pall in 1965, consist of a base unit that connects to the land-line system and also communicates with remote handsets by low power radio. There are two styles of frameless glasses, those that have a piece of frame material connecting the two lenses together, and those that are a single lens with ear stems on each side. The changes in terminology is partially due to providers using different terms in marketing to differentiate newer digital services from older analog systems and services of one company from another. Frameless glasses have no frame around the lenses and the ear stems are attached directly to the lenses. In the United States wireless companies tend to use the term wireless to refer to a wide range of services while the cell phone itself is called a mobile phone, mobile, PCS phone, cell phone or simply cell with the trend now moving towards mobile. Half frames go around only half the lens, typically the frames attach to the top of the lenses and on the side near the top. While the term "wireless" means radio and can refer to any telephone that uses radio waves it is primarily used for cell phones. Full frame glasses have the frame go all around the lenses. Digital loop carriers (DLC) are often used, placing the digital network ever closer to the customer premises, relegating the analog local loop to legacy status. There are three common styles: full frame, half frame, and frameless. While today the end instrument remains analog, the analog signals reaching the aggregation point (Serving Area Interface (SAI) or the central office (CO) ) are typically converted to digital signals. Frames can be made to hold the lenses in several different ways. Digital transmission made it possible to carry multiple digitized switched circuits on a single transmission medium (known as multiplexing). Oakley, for example, has straight ear pieces on all their glasses. End-to-end analog telephone networks were first modified in the 1970s by upgrading long-haul transmission networks with SONET technology and fiber optic transmission methods. The end of the ear pieces are usually curved so that they wrap around the ear; however, some models have straight ear pieces. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has gradually evolved towards digital telephony which has improved the capacity and quality of the network. The end of the ear pieces and the bridge over the nose can be textured or have a rubber or plastic material to hold better. The first commercial transatlantic telephone call was between New York City and London and occurred on January 7, 1927. Because metal frames are more rigid, some models have spring loaded hinges to help them grip the wearer's face better. In 1926 Bell Labs and the British Post Office engineered the first two-way conversation across the Atlantic. Metal frames are usually more rigid than nylon frames thus they can be more easily damaged when participating in sporty activities, but this is not to say that they cannot be used for such activities. The Bell System divested itself of the local telephone companies in 1984 in order to settle an antitrust suit brought against it by the United States Department of Justice. This flex can also help the glasses grip better on the wearer's face. It fully or partially owned the telephone companies that provided service to about 80% of the telephones in the country and also owned Western Electric, which manufactured or purchased virtually all the equipment and supplies used by the local telephone companies. They are able to bend slightly instead of breaking when pressure is applied to them. In the United States, the Bell System was vertically integrated. Nylon frames are usually used in sports because they are light weight and flexible. Operating companies often hold a national monopoly. Frames are generally made from plastic, nylon, a metal or metal alloy. The industry has divided into telephone equipment manufacturers and telephone network operators (telcos). CR-39 lenses are the most common plastic lenses, due to their low weight, high scratch resistance, low transparency for ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and other advantageous properties. Newer systems include IP telephony, ISDN, DSL, mobile cellular phone systems, cordless telephones, and the third generation cell phone systems that promise to include high-speed packet data transfer. Polycarbonate lenses are the lightest, and are also almost shatterproof, making them good for impact protection. The history of additional inventions and improvements of the electrical telephone includes the carbon microphone (later replaced by the electret microphone now used in almost all telephone transmitters), the manual switchboard, the rotary dial, the automatic telephone exchange, the computerized telephone switch, Touch Tone® dialing (DTMF), and the digitization of sound using different coding techniques including pulse code modulation or PCM (which is also used for .WAV, .AIF files and compact discs). They do however, offer more resistance to shattering than glass. The following is a brief summary of the history of the invention of the telephone:. Plastic lenses are lighter than glass lenses, but are more prone to scratching. The modern telephone is the result of work done by many hands, all worthy of recognition of their addition to the field. They can also shatter or break on impact. It is important to note that there is probably no single "inventor of the telephone". Glass lenses have the best optical clarity and scratch resistance, but are heavier than plastic lenses. Additionally, the earliest investigators preferred publication in the popular press and demonstration to investors instead of scientific publication and demonstration to fellow scientists. Plastic lenses are typically made from acrylic, polycarbonate, or CR-39. There was a lot of money involved, particularly in the Bell Telephone companies, and the aggressive defense of the Bell patents resulted in much confusion. Sunglass lenses are made from either glass or plastic. The very early history of the telephone is a confusing morass of claim and counterclaim, which was not clarified by the huge mass of lawsuits which hoped to resolve the patent claims of individuals. Some people who are severely visually impaired but still sighted wear sunglasses in order to protect their vision against glare. Antonio Meucci, Johann Philipp Reis, and Alexander Graham Bell, amongst others, have all been credited with the invention. Before the introduction of sunglasses, one-eyed people could wear an eyepatch to not disturb other people. The identity of the inventor of the electric telephone remains in dispute. People with severe visual impairment, such as the blind, often wear sunglasses so they do not make others uncomfortable with the fact that they cannot make eye contact with them (not seeing eyes may be better than seeing eyes which seem to look in the wrong direction), or to hide the eyes if their appearance is abnormal, for example due to cataracts. Unlike a mobile phone, a cordless telephone is considered to be landline because it is only useable within a short distance of a small personal or domestic base station connected to a fixed phone line. These are known as photochromic lenses. Cordless and mobile phones are now common in many places around the world, with mobile phones expected to gradually displace the conventional landline telephone. Some lenses gradually darken with bright light and lighten in darkness. Until relatively recently, a "telephone" generally referred only to landlines. Corrective lenses can be darkened to serve the same purpose, or secondary clip-on dark lenses can be placed in front of the regular lenses. Between end users, transmissions across a network may be carried by fiber optic cable, point to point microwave or satellite relay. With the introduction of office computing, ergonomists can recommend mildly tinted glasses for display operators to increase contrast. There are four principal means by which an end user using a telephone handset may connect to a telephone network: a traditional fixed phone "landline", which uses dedicated physical wire connections connected to a single location; wireless and radio telephones, which use either analog or digital radio signals; satellite telephones, which utilize telecommunications satellites; and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephones, which use broadband internet connections. The manufacturer, any of the above features: color, polarization, degradation, and mirroring, can be combined into a set of lenses for a pair of sunglasses. . These type of sunglasses are sometimes called mirrorshades. Most telephones operate through transmission of electric signals over a complex telephone network which allows almost any phone user to communicate with almost any other. For example, a gray lens can have a blue mirror coating, and a brown lens can have a silver coating. The telephone or phone (Greek: tele = far away and phone = voice) is a telecommunications device which is used to transmit and receive sound (most commonly voice and speech) across distance. The color of the mirrored surface is irrelevant to the color of the lens. In Unicode, telephones are depicted with the characters whose hexadecimal codes are 260E (☎), 260F (☏) and 2706 (✆), (but may not display properly in some browsers). These mirrored coatings can be made any color by the manufacturer for styling and fashion purposes. The folding portable phone was an intentional copy of the fictional futuristic communicators (which in use actually more closely resembled walkie-talkies, Nextel-style) used in the television show Star Trek. This mirrored coating reflects some of the light when it hits the lens before it is transmitted through the lens making it useful in bright conditions. The modern handset came into existence when a Swedish lineman tied a microphone and earphone to a stick so he could keep a hand free. A mirrored coating can also be applied to the lens. 30 January 1877 Bell patents the electro-dynamic transmitter, receiver telephone. Some models use a degradation where the top of the glass (through which the sky is looked at) is darker and the bottom is transparent. Two hours later Gray files his patent caveat. Some models have polarized lenses to reduce glare caused by light reflected from polarizing surfaces such as water as well as by polarized diffuse sky radiation (skylight). 14 February 1876 Bell files his first patent on the telephone.
Some sunglasses with interchangeable lens have optional clear lenses to protect the eyes during low light or night time activities. 1 July 1875 Bell first uses a bi-directional capable telephone (Both the transmitter and the receiver were identical membrane instruments.). Clear lenses are used typically to protect the eyes from impact, debris, dust, or chemicals. 2 June 1875 Alexander Graham Bell first transmits voice. Blue and purple lenses offer no real benefits and are mainly cosmetic. 1874 Gray demonstrates his liquid transmitter telephone at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Yellow lenses are commonly used by golfers and shooters for its contrast enhancement and depth perception properties. July 1873 Thomas Alva Edison notes variable resistance in carbon grains due to pressure, but shelves the discovery. Orange and yellow lenses have the best contrast enhancement and depth perception but cause color distortion. 1872 Elisha Gray founds Western Electric Manufacturing Company. Red lenses are good for medium and lower light conditions because they are good at enhancing contrast but causes color distortion. 1871 Meucci files a patent caveat (a statement of intention to patent). Brown and green lenses cause some minimal color distortion, but have contrast-enhancing properties. 1861 Reis manages to transfer voice electrically over a distance of 340 feet, see Reis' telephone. Grey lenses are considered neutral because they do not enhance contrast or distort colors. 1860 Meucci supposedly demonstrates his telephone on Staten Island. The color of the lens can vary by style, fashion, and purpose, but for general use, green, grey, or brown is recommended to avoid or minimize color distortion, that could be dangerous when, for instance, driving a car. 1860 Johann Philipp Reis demonstrates a make-break transmitter after the design of Bourseul. In both tests, no part of the lens can touch the eye. [1]. In the high velocity test, a 1/4 in (6.35mm) steel ball is shot at the lens at 150 ft/s(45.72 m/s). 1854 Meucci demonstrates an electric telephone in New York. In the basic impact test, a 1 in (2.54 cm) steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50 in (127 cm). 1854 Charles Bourseul publishes a description of a make-break telephone transmitter and receiver but does not construct a working instrument. These are voluntary standards, so not all sunglasses comply, nor are manufacturers required to comply. (The demonstration involves direct electrical connections to people.). Some sunglasses also pass ANSI Z87.1 requirements for basic impact and high impact protection. 1849 Antonio Meucci, an Italian living in Havana, demonstrates a device later called a telephone. Cheaper sunglasses look good but maximum protection is not guaranteed. The rule of thumb is, the more expensive and the more known the manufacteror of the sunglasses the more protection. In the preparation for solar eclipses, health authorities often warn against looking at the sun through only sunglasses. In the European Union, a CE mark () identifies glasses fulfilling quality regulations. It is important that the makers of one's sunglasses ensure that the glasses protect against UV (ultraviolet) rays. Various types of disposable sunglasses are dispensed to patients after receiving mydriatic eye drops during eye examinations. Eyeglasses improve visual comfort. People also wear sunglasses when they don't want others to see that they're high by looking at their bloodshot eyes. The impact on nonverbal communication and the cool image can be the reasons for wearing sunglasses by night or indoors. Curiously, they can project an image of uncool nerdiness that sunglasses do not have. Note that normal glasses are very rarely worn without a practical purpose. Darkened sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a fashion accessory. Many cultures do not take them kindly. Hiding one's eyes has implications in face-to-face communication: It can hide weeping, being one of the signs of mourning, makes eye contact impossible which can be intimidating, as in the stereotype of the guardian of a chain gang, or can show detachment, which is considered cool in some circles. . From the 1950s to the 1990s sunglasses were popular as a fashion statement, especially on the beach. Sunglasses have also been associated with celebrities and film actors primarily due to the desire to mask identity, but in part due to the lighting involved in production being typically stronger than natural light and uncomfortable to the naked eye. It has been recommended to wear these kind of glasses on sunny days to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to the development of a cataract. In outdoor activities like skiing and flying, the eye can receive more light than usual. Many people find direct sunlight too bright to be comfortable, especially when reading from paper on which the sun directly shines. Sunglasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to screen out strong light from the eyes. Riff from Sluggy Freelance. Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist. The MacManus brothers from The Boondock Saints. Duke Nukem( as of Duke Nukem 3D). Jimmy from WarioWare, Inc.. Johnny and Bunny Bravo from Johnny Bravo. Steven Hyde's red aviator sunglasses from That '70s Show. The mirrored aviator sunglasses of the silent boss figure prominently in the plot of Cool Hand Luke. Rude, a member of the Turks from Final Fantasy VII. Gendo Ikari, from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Anthony Crowley, from the novel Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The Energizer Bunny. Clifford, a Muppet character. Albert Wesker from the video game Resident Evil. Most of the mafia members from the anime Gungrave. The crew from Reservoir Dogs. Interestingly, all of the protagonists wear rounded lenses, while the antagonists wear rectangular lenses. Most characters from The Matrix movie. The Men in Black and the Men in Black of urban legend. Matt Murdock, blind lawyer from "Daredevil". Cyclops, from the X-Men - wears sunglasses when he is not in costume with his visor. Max Headroom - 1980s "computer generated" celebrity. The reporter crew of the Argentinian and Spanish shows Caiga Quien Caiga. The Blues Brothers, musicians. John Munch, Detective in Homicide: Life on the Street,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (played by Richard Belzer, see above). Blade (comics), A fictional Marvel Comics comic-book character about a vampire-hunter.Blade (comics) has been turned in a series of 3 films. and all three members of ZZ Top, who had a 1980 hit with Cheap Sunglasses. Stevie Wonder, blind musician. - country music singer. Hank Williams, Jr. Andy Warhol, artist. Thompson, journalist, deceased. Hunter S. Toots Thielemans, Belgian jazz artist. Masayuki Suzuki, Japanese singer of Rats & Star. Howard Stern, shock jock. Paul Shaffer - bandleader. Richard Petty, NASCAR legend. Roy Orbison, singer. Yoko Ono, Japanese artist and John Lennon's wife. Ric Ocasek - musician and producer. Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, widow of John F. Jack Nicholson, actor. Karl Lagerfeld, German fashion designer. Lenny Kravitz, Singer/Entertainer. Umm Kalthum, Egyptian singer, now deceased. Elton John, in unusual tints. Wojciech Jaruzelski, Polish chief of state. Michael Jackson, pop star. Heino, German singer. Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Enzo Ferrari, Italian automotive pioneer. Jose Feliciano, blind musician. Bootsy Collins, funk musician. Ray Charles, blind musician, now deceased. Bono, singer of U2. Richard Belzer comedian and actor. Robert Ashley, American composer. Pedro Abrunhosa, Portuguese singer. Smoked Spectacles usually refers to the darkened eyepieces worn by blind people. Sunnies is Australian slang. Dark glasses (also preceded by 'pair of') - generic term in common usage. Also in use is the derivative abbreviation, shades. Sun-shades can also refer to the sun-shading eyepiece-type, although the term is not exclusive to these. Sunglasses is a term in common usage in Britain and North America, and it is also used when preceded by "pair of". Sun specs (also sunspecs) is the shortened form of the above term. Spekkies is a term used predominantly in southern Australia. Sun spectacles is a term used by some opticians. |