History of Glasses
Executive Summary:
The development of eyeglasses has been a long process, extending nearly 800 years and seeing numerous adaptations along the way. Throughout their existence, eyeglasses have transcended time (the same basic structure has reigned supreme for centuries). They have created new jobs and related products and have played a key role in the economic shift from a manufacturing focus to a service focus. At the same time, eyeglasses have impacted natural selection and allowed those who would otherwise be weeded out the ability to live and prosper. Eyeglasses' unintended consequence of continually degrading human eyesight and poor sustainability diminish the positive economic and social implications and place the future of this dominant technology in a questionable and potentially compromised state.
Introduction The invention of eyeglasses, though not the most significant technological development, has had a profound impact on culture and society. Throughout their eight hundred year existence, eyeglasses have changed the way people live and the way people view the world. In order to understand this impact, it is first necessary to understand the history and major modifications of eyeglasses. Consequently, this paper introduces the history of eyeglasses from inception to the modern day. Then, it attempts to address the impact the invention has had on the perception of time, the economy, modern society and analyze the related unintended consequences. In conclusion, this paper analyzes the sustainability of this invention in the wake of recent changes in the external environment. Throughout their long history, eyeglasses have transcended time, boosted the economy, changed the intricacies of modern society and produced numerous unintended consequences.
History
Looking back a millennium, very few people had the need or ability to read and write. Society was organized in a predominately nomadic, agricultural fashion, placing little emphasis on
The development of eyeglasses has been a long process, extending nearly 800 years and seeing numerous adaptations along the way. Throughout their existence, eyeglasses have transcended time (the same basic structure has reigned supreme for centuries). They have created new jobs and related products and have played a key role in the economic shift from a manufacturing focus to a service focus. At the same time, eyeglasses have impacted natural selection and allowed those who would otherwise be weeded out the ability to live and prosper. Eyeglasses' unintended consequence of continually degrading human eyesight and poor sustainability diminish the positive economic and social implications and place the future of this dominant technology in a questionable and potentially compromised state.
Introduction The invention of eyeglasses, though not the most significant technological development, has had a profound impact on culture and society. Throughout their eight hundred year existence, eyeglasses have changed the way people live and the way people view the world. In order to understand this impact, it is first necessary to understand the history and major modifications of eyeglasses. Consequently, this paper introduces the history of eyeglasses from inception to the modern day. Then, it attempts to address the impact the invention has had on the perception of time, the economy, modern society and analyze the related unintended consequences. In conclusion, this paper analyzes the sustainability of this invention in the wake of recent changes in the external environment. Throughout their long history, eyeglasses have transcended time, boosted the economy, changed the intricacies of modern society and produced numerous unintended consequences.
History
Looking back a millennium, very few people had the need or ability to read and write. Society was organized in a predominately nomadic, agricultural fashion, placing little emphasis on
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