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Sunglasses through the years Trivia Quiz

Nearly all of us wear them, but do you know when and how the many variants came to be?

A multiple-choice quiz by maggotbrain. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
maggotbrain

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
367,278

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
487

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what year did sunglasses first become commercially available? Hint

1929

1934

1925

1939

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who first invented the technology to produce polarized sunglasses? Hint

Samuel Polaroid

Edwin Land

Helmut Bausch

John Ray

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what year were the famous Ray-Ban aviators first given to pilots? Hint

1936

1940

1938

1942

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Question 4 of 10

4. The first Ray-ban aviator sunglasses made for pilots had metal frames.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who first designed the 'Wayfarer' sunglasses? Hint

Charles Way

Ray Lopez

Frank Lomb

Raymond Stegeman

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Question 6 of 10

6. In what decade were Photochromic lense invented? Hint

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the name of the round lens sunglasses commonly known as 'John Lennon sunglasses'? Hint

Coffee shades

Button shades

Penny shades

Tea shades

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which company first brought us sunglasses with a built in audio player? Hint

Ray-Ban

Oakley

Maui Jim

Polaroid

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which company are known for introducing the first flexible stem sunglasses? Hint

Randolph Engineering

Ray-Ban

Persol

Maui Jim

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which brand of sunglasses famously uses crystal lenses? Hint

Persol

Oakley

Maui Jim

Ray-Ban

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year did sunglasses first become commercially available?

Answer: 1929

Although coloured quartz crystals were apparently used by Chinese judges at least as early as the 12th century to help conceal facial expressions, and tinted lenses in England in the 18th century to correct visual impairments, the first commercially available non-corrective sunglasses were sold by Sam Foster in Atlantic City in 1929.

2. Who first invented the technology to produce polarized sunglasses?

Answer: Edwin Land

Although Edwin Land clearly did not invent polarization itself, he did spend years of his life developing the technology that went towards creating the polarization technique used in sunglasses. He patented his 'Polaroid' material in 1929.

3. In what year were the famous Ray-Ban aviators first given to pilots?

Answer: 1936

Initially given to pilots to help reduce glare in 1936, these became commercially available in 1937. Developed by optical firm Bausch and Lomb with green lenses, the new 'Ray-ban' was born.

4. The first Ray-ban aviator sunglasses made for pilots had metal frames.

Answer: False

Initially, these had plastic frames, but were developed with metal frames by 1937.

5. Who first designed the 'Wayfarer' sunglasses?

Answer: Raymond Stegeman

First designed in 1952, these were later described as "a mid-century classic to rival Eames chairs and Cadillac tail fins". Produced in black plastic they marked a massive design change at the time.

6. In what decade were Photochromic lense invented?

Answer: 1960s

Roger Araujo is cited as the developer of the Photochromic lens which darkens under exposure to certain types of light.

7. What is the name of the round lens sunglasses commonly known as 'John Lennon sunglasses'?

Answer: Tea shades

An almost purely cosmetic style of sunglasses, due to the amount of sunlight let through, these have been made popular by many celebrities over the years, particularly John Lennon who became their namesake.

8. Which company first brought us sunglasses with a built in audio player?

Answer: Oakley

Oakley introduced 'Thump' first in 2004.

9. Which company are known for introducing the first flexible stem sunglasses?

Answer: Persol

Persol were founded in 1917 designing high quality sport and aviator eyewear. In the 1930s they designed the Meflecto system which meant in theory that the frame could adapt to anybody's face.

10. Which brand of sunglasses famously uses crystal lenses?

Answer: Persol

Since the 1920s, Persol have used crystal made from the 'purest silica'.

Source: Author maggotbrain

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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