If it wasn't for the Dutch optician Hans Lipperhey, we might not have had either binoculars or opera glasses today. He first started manufacturing simple binoculars in 1608. These were not much more than two telescopes connected by a central bridge, but they led to many further modifications and improvements. His early binoculars had a magnification capability of x3. Within less than a year the Italian mathematician and inventor Galileo Galilee made another drastic stride forward by increasing the magnification ability of telescopes to x30.
Binoculars gave a much wider field of view than telescopes, but since they had 2 convex lenses, the picture that you saw was inverted. It wasn't until 1617 that Anton Schyrle added an additional lens to re-invert the image. In 1758 John Dollond of England invented the achromatic (color free) lens and thereby solved the problem of color distortion.
The next step forward was made when an Italian gunnery officer by the name of Ignazio Porro developed prismatic binoculars during the '50s. These offered an even wider field of vision than earlier binoculars and also a drastically improved magnification ability.
The first time we find opera glasses mentioned in the printed media is in London during 1730. The opera glasses advertised were in fact not binoculars, but rather pocket-sized Galilean telescopes. They were used as much for decorative purposes as to watch the opera. The bodies were frequently decorated with mother of pearl, enamel, ivory or various types of gems.
It wasn't until 23 in Vienna that we first find mention of binocular-type opera glasses. These were in fact simply two small telescopes with a bridge connecting them. The telescopes had to be focused individually by extending the tubes.
They soon became highly fashionable. Going to the opera without one of these was social suicide. The designs became increasingly elaborate. Often you would find an optician, a painter and a goldsmith working on the glasses before they were finally ready for their discerning owners. Once at the opera, they were not only used to watch the stage though - they were also regularly used to check out the other guests to make sure there wasn't by any chance someone with a more elaborate set of opera glasses!
The design soon improved to allow for the simultaneous adjustment of both lenses. This was another major step forward and only served to increase the popularity of this type of glasses. They also became highly valued gifts - as one can see from the inscriptions found on many opera glasses of the time.
The variety of opera glasses available at present is very large. You still get monoculars, which are considered to be very stylish. You also get glasses with built-in reading lights and others with handles. You can even get one with a built-in jealousy glass - enabling you to discreetly watch someone in the audience without being noticed.!
Binoculars gave a much wider field of view than telescopes, but since they had 2 convex lenses, the picture that you saw was inverted. It wasn't until 1617 that Anton Schyrle added an additional lens to re-invert the image. In 1758 John Dollond of England invented the achromatic (color free) lens and thereby solved the problem of color distortion.
The next step forward was made when an Italian gunnery officer by the name of Ignazio Porro developed prismatic binoculars during the '50s. These offered an even wider field of vision than earlier binoculars and also a drastically improved magnification ability.
The first time we find opera glasses mentioned in the printed media is in London during 1730. The opera glasses advertised were in fact not binoculars, but rather pocket-sized Galilean telescopes. They were used as much for decorative purposes as to watch the opera. The bodies were frequently decorated with mother of pearl, enamel, ivory or various types of gems.
It wasn't until 23 in Vienna that we first find mention of binocular-type opera glasses. These were in fact simply two small telescopes with a bridge connecting them. The telescopes had to be focused individually by extending the tubes.
They soon became highly fashionable. Going to the opera without one of these was social suicide. The designs became increasingly elaborate. Often you would find an optician, a painter and a goldsmith working on the glasses before they were finally ready for their discerning owners. Once at the opera, they were not only used to watch the stage though - they were also regularly used to check out the other guests to make sure there wasn't by any chance someone with a more elaborate set of opera glasses!
The design soon improved to allow for the simultaneous adjustment of both lenses. This was another major step forward and only served to increase the popularity of this type of glasses. They also became highly valued gifts - as one can see from the inscriptions found on many opera glasses of the time.
The variety of opera glasses available at present is very large. You still get monoculars, which are considered to be very stylish. You also get glasses with built-in reading lights and others with handles. You can even get one with a built-in jealousy glass - enabling you to discreetly watch someone in the audience without being noticed.!
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Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of opera glasses. Here you can check out Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!
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