Opera Glasses " Luxurious Style, Spyware Or Optical Device?
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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.
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 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 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.
Although there are nowadays a multitude of different types of opera glasses on the market, they fall into two categories: monocular and binocular. Within those categories you get all the colors of the rainbow and all the styles and materials you can think of. You even get opera glasses with handles and reading lights. One of the more unusual types is one with a jealousy glass - so you can unobtrusively watch someone else in the audience!
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.
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 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 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.
Although there are nowadays a multitude of different types of opera glasses on the market, they fall into two categories: monocular and binocular. Within those categories you get all the colors of the rainbow and all the styles and materials you can think of. You even get opera glasses with handles and reading lights. One of the more unusual types is one with a jealousy glass - so you can unobtrusively watch someone else in the audience!
About the Author:
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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