Opera glasses was one of the byproducts of a long line of inventions. It started during 1608 with the Dutch optician Hans Lipperhey manufacturing binoculars comprising of two twin telescopes connected by a centerpiece. They had an impressive magnification ability of x3. Not to be left behind the Italian inventor Galileo Galilee within a year dramatically improved the design of telescopes, allowing a magnification of x30.
Initially binoculars had one major drawback: Although they allowed for a much wider field of view, they used two convex lenses, which inverted the image! It took more than 100 years for the next major step forward: in 1617 Anton Schyrle constructed binoculars with an additional lens that re-inverted the image. More than--0 years later a certain John Dollond of England started manufacturing achromatic (color-free) lenses and with that solve another problem bugging binoculars - that of color distortion.
One of the final important developments in binocular technology happened when the Italian gunnery officer Ignazio Porro invented prismatic binoculars, thereby once again increasing the field of vision dramatically and making much larger magnification possible.
Opera glasses are mentioned for the first time in London newspaper advertisements dating back to 1730. These were not binoculars, but small Galilean telescopes. They were both used decoratively and to watch opera with. The bodies were often inlaid with gems, mother of pearl, ivory, enamel and other types of decorations.
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 proved to be very popular, however, and quickly became items of high fashion. The designs were so elaborate that one often would find both a painter and a goldsmith working on the end product. They were used as much to impress people as to watch opera - not to mention scrutinizing other opera goers to see if their opera glasses were perhaps more fashionable than yours!
The design was further improved substantially when it became possible to adjust both lenses at the same time using a small wheel in the center. This made opera glasses even more popular and soon everyone who was anyone had to have one. They were highly regarded as gifts - as one can clearly see when you study the inscriptions on many of these glasses dating back to the 17th century.
Nowadays there is a wide array of opera glasses available. You can get them in virtually any color you want. They come in many different styles and materials. Strangely enough, monoculars are still popular, as are opera glasses with handles or reading lights. You even get them fitted with a jealousy glass - so you can watch another person in the audience without being seen! - 29874
Initially binoculars had one major drawback: Although they allowed for a much wider field of view, they used two convex lenses, which inverted the image! It took more than 100 years for the next major step forward: in 1617 Anton Schyrle constructed binoculars with an additional lens that re-inverted the image. More than--0 years later a certain John Dollond of England started manufacturing achromatic (color-free) lenses and with that solve another problem bugging binoculars - that of color distortion.
One of the final important developments in binocular technology happened when the Italian gunnery officer Ignazio Porro invented prismatic binoculars, thereby once again increasing the field of vision dramatically and making much larger magnification possible.
Opera glasses are mentioned for the first time in London newspaper advertisements dating back to 1730. These were not binoculars, but small Galilean telescopes. They were both used decoratively and to watch opera with. The bodies were often inlaid with gems, mother of pearl, ivory, enamel and other types of decorations.
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 proved to be very popular, however, and quickly became items of high fashion. The designs were so elaborate that one often would find both a painter and a goldsmith working on the end product. They were used as much to impress people as to watch opera - not to mention scrutinizing other opera goers to see if their opera glasses were perhaps more fashionable than yours!
The design was further improved substantially when it became possible to adjust both lenses at the same time using a small wheel in the center. This made opera glasses even more popular and soon everyone who was anyone had to have one. They were highly regarded as gifts - as one can clearly see when you study the inscriptions on many of these glasses dating back to the 17th century.
Nowadays there is a wide array of opera glasses available. You can get them in virtually any color you want. They come in many different styles and materials. Strangely enough, monoculars are still popular, as are opera glasses with handles or reading lights. You even get them fitted with a jealousy glass - so you can watch another person in the audience without being seen! - 29874
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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!
