Judges in Shades
Three pairs of ancient sunglasses made out of wood and leather
Photo credit: Photographer Chris Arend; Anchorage Museum
Sunglasses as we know them likely came from 12th century China, where judges wore them in court.
Sunglasses are eye savers on bright days, but some of the earliest shades often served a different purpose. In 12th century China, some people wore them indoors.
In courtrooms.
Protective eyewear had already been invented by then. Thousands of years ago, prehistoric people in Alaska cut slits in bone or wood to make snow goggles. The narrow view through the slits shielded their eyes from the sun reflecting off the snow. But sunglasses as we know them likely have their roots in 12th century China.
Back then, the dark lenses were made with flat slabs of smoked quartz. The glasses helped make the sun's blinding light more bearable. They didn't protect people's eyes from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays like modern sunglasses, though. The shades were expensive, so they were only worn by wealthy people.
And judges.
The judges didn't want their facial expressions revealing their reactions to information they heard in court. By concealing their eyes, the judges could appear more neutral as they questioned witnesses and defendants.
People made improvements to eyewear over the next several hundred years. Different lenses were invented for various uses, including vision correction. But sunglasses didn't become popular until the 20th century. The first mass-produced, inexpensive sunglasses designed for sun protection were made in the United States by a man named Sam Foster in 1929. Foster sold his shades in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the glasses quickly became a hot fashion item.
Centuries have passed since judges hid their eyes behind dark shades, but many sunglasses wearers still sport the accessory for the same reason. Dark sunglasses help police officers, security guards, and undercover law enforcement officials keep an eye on their surroundings without alerting others to where they're looking. The glasses also conceal their emotional reactions in tense situations—so they can do their jobs without revealing their feelings, much like the judges in 12th century China.
QUESTION 1
QUESTION 1 OF 4
1 / 4
What is this article primarily about?
A.The history of vision correction and who first wore glasses
B.Courtroom judges and witnesses in 12th century China
C.Popular and inexpensive accessories in the 20th century
D.The history of sunglasses and why they were first worn
D. The history of sunglasses and why they were first worn
Based on the article, which of these is true about sunglasses?
A.Sunglasses have always protected eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays of light.
B.Sunglasses are worn to protect eyes from blinding light and to conceal emotions.
C.Sunglasses are worn by judges in the courtroom to help correct their vision.
D.Sunglasses have always been inexpensive and available to wear for fashion.
B. Sunglasses are worn to protect eyes from blinding light and to conceal emotions.
Which is the closest antonym for the word prehistoric?
A.cautious
B.modern
C.sensible
D.genuine
B. modern
QUESTION 4
QUESTION 4 OF 4
4 / 4
According to the article, why did judges wear sunglasses in 12th century China?
A.To hide their facial expressions during court cases
B.To watch their surroundings without others knowing
C.To shield their eyes from the bright courtroom lights
D.To show that they could afford an expensive item