Did you know that the first pair of sunglasses were not really glasses at all? What we know today as sunglasses have their roots in ancient Inuit sun goggles. And although old and new differ quite a bit, those Inuit goggles of old have influenced sunglass design for over a hundred years.
Blocking the Sun and Glare
The Inuit people have historically lived in some of the harshest landscapes on Earth. Eye protection has always been a must-have for them, especially during the winter months when the sun and snow combine to create rather bright conditions.
The Inuit people ultimately developed sun goggles they referred to as iggaak. They were essentially sculpted pieces of bone, wood, antler, or ivory with small slits carved into them. The slits ran horizontally across the surface of the goggles.
It was a brilliant and effective design that limited the eye's exposure to the sun while still allowing a wearer to see. Slits were just wide enough to provide an adequate view, but still narrow enough to block most of the light from reaching the eyes. As a result, a wearer was protected against UV exposure, snow blindness, glare, and exposure to direct sunlight.
The Core Concept Remains Intact
As an eyewear retailer, you understand that the core principle of Inuit eye protection remains intact today. Modern sunglasses with built-in UV radiation protection filter out UV light so less of it makes it to the eye. Modern sunglasses do the same thing as sun goggles, but in a different way.
Above and beyond its UV protection, modern sunglasses also protect against snow blindness. That is one reason skiers and snowboarders are so particular about the sunglasses they wear. Even ski goggles are now equipped with the same UV filtering and polarized lenses that protect sensitive eyes while out on the slopes.
A Bit of Inuit Design
Inuit sun goggles lead the foundation for how we protect eyes against the sun with modern sunglasses. But we have also taken inspiration from the Inuit in terms of style. Looking good probably wasn't on the minds of individual Inuit people as they carved out their sun goggles from bones and pieces of antler. Nonetheless, the Inuit created a sleek and stylish look that today's designers often replicate.
Through decades of design and testing, we have found ways to come up with sunglasses that offer maximum protection and look good at the same time. So now we have the luxury of combining eye protection with fashion.
Your One and Only Supplier
Good looking sunglasses offering more than adequate eye protection is what we specialize in here at Olympic Eyewear. As a wholesaler, we sell sunglasses for men, women, and children in bulk. Our bulk pricing gives you the opportunity to turn around and sell our products at retail for a nice profit.
If you are a retailer offering sunglasses as either your primary or a supplemental product line, we would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. We want to be your one and only provider of affordable sunglasses for people of all ages. We offer the same quality and good looks as more expensive brands, but at a price that is more in line with your customers' budgets.
Take a look at our website to get a full picture of all our brands and styles. And as you consider how Olympic Eyewear can help boost your business, remember that we owe much of what we know about modern sunglasses to the Inuit. Their sun goggles started it all so many generations ago.