An ode to eyewear design

Dylan Jones
3 minute read
Updated 7:16 AM EST, Wed January 4, 2017
"Overview," an exhibition of eyeglasses currently held at Design Museum Holon, explores the evolution and history of eyeglasses.
"Overview," an exhibition of eyeglasses currently held at Design Museum Holon, explores the evolution and history of eyeglasses.
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The museum's upper gallery features 400 rare pieces from the collection of optometrist Claude Samuel, which date from the 17th century to present day.
The museum's upper gallery features 400 rare pieces from the collection of optometrist Claude Samuel, which date from the 17th century to present day.
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The collection includes a small case of lenses Samuel inherited from his grandmother, and a rare collection of glasses that his father designed for Pierre Cardin.
The collection includes a small case of lenses Samuel inherited from his grandmother, and a rare collection of glasses that his father designed for Pierre Cardin.
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According to exhibition curator Maya Dvash, "the initial purpose of eyeglasses was to correct a flaw, and eyeglasses do not conceal that flaw, but actually emphasize it by means of design."
According to exhibition curator Maya Dvash, "the initial purpose of eyeglasses was to correct a flaw, and eyeglasses do not conceal that flaw, but actually emphasize it by means of design."
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British optician Benjamin Martin created the first vision-correcting eyeglasses in 1756. The above pair is made using metal and bull horn.
British optician Benjamin Martin created the first vision-correcting eyeglasses in 1756. The above pair is made using metal and bull horn.
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Phoropter test glasses, made of metal and ivory, designed in England in the mid-1800s.
Phoropter test glasses, made of metal and ivory, designed in England in the mid-1800s.
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These vision examination lenses were made in the United States in the late 1800s.
These vision examination lenses were made in the United States in the late 1800s.
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Usually worn by Eskimos, snow glasses are traditionally made of wood or bone. A fine cut on top of each eye protects one from snow blindness.
Usually worn by Eskimos, snow glasses are traditionally made of wood or bone. A fine cut on top of each eye protects one from snow blindness.
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This monocular opera spyglass fan is made out of buffalo horn.
This monocular opera spyglass fan is made out of buffalo horn.
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The fan, made in France, dates back to the early 1900s.
The fan, made in France, dates back to the early 1900s.
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The exhibition also includes a metal phoropter designed by The British Refracting Unit in 1904.
The exhibition also includes a metal phoropter designed by The British Refracting Unit in 1904.
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This folding lorgnette, embellished with pearls, comes from the early-1900s in Central Europe.
This folding lorgnette, embellished with pearls, comes from the early-1900s in Central Europe.
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This 18th century folding spectacle is from China. Chinese scholars are often given credit for the development of lenses.
This 18th century folding spectacle is from China. Chinese scholars are often given credit for the development of lenses.
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This pair, designed by Pierre Cardin in the 1960s, is made solely of plastic.
This pair, designed by Pierre Cardin in the 1960s, is made solely of plastic.
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This 1960s prototype designed by Pierre Cardin has an asymmetric frame made of plastic.
This 1960s prototype designed by Pierre Cardin has an asymmetric frame made of plastic.
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This is the first time Claude Samuel's extensive collection of eyewear has been presented in a museum.
This is the first time Claude Samuel's extensive collection of eyewear has been presented in a museum.
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<a href="http://www.dmh.org.il/exhibition/exhibition.aspx?pid=45&catId=-1" target="_blank" target="_blank">Overview</a>, an exhibition that traces the design evolution of eyewear, is currently on show at Design Museum Holon until April 29, 2017.
Overview, an exhibition that traces the design evolution of eyewear, is currently on show at Design Museum Holon until April 29, 2017.
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An ode to eyewear design

Editor’s Note: Dylan Jones is the Editor-In-Chief of GQ and the Chairman of London Fashion Week Men’s

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