User:Robin Clement/Horn-rimmed Glasses

Horn-rimmed Glasses

The widely accepted definition of horn-rimmed glasses is eyeglasses with frames made of horn, tortoise shell, or plastic that simulates either material. However, some claim that horn-rimmed glasses contain characteristic projections at the top of each side. These glasses began to be popular in the 1910s and 1920s, and were a standard for many decades.

Characteristics

Horn-rimmed glasses were coined their name because they were originally made of horn or shell. Over time, the glasses changed. They were known as dark, heavy, and plastic framed glasses. An early plastic, called celluloid, was dyed and molded to look like an animal horn. Another characteristic is their lack of nose pads. This differentiates them from other glasses, making the profile of horn-rims appear unique. Sometimes saddle bridges are attached to distribute the weight of the glasses. These are placed on the sides and top of the frame’s nose. Currently, the definition of horn-rimmed glasses has become more flexible. They are commonly referred to as a pair of dark, plastic eyeglasses with frames that range in thickness from about 1/16" to 1/4." The dark colored plastic stands out, giving the appearance of thicker frames.

History

Harold Lloyd originally made eyeglass wearing popular. In particular, he made horn-rimmed glasses mainstream. His glasses were plastic. In Europe, frames were made from tortoise shell and were expensive. However, America made plastic framed glasses because it was less expensive than tortoise shell. Plastic frames began to be called “shell."

Lloyd donned his plastic horn-rims in 1917 when he stared in the short comedy film, “Over the Fence.” Oddly enough, the glasses contained no lens due to the glare that it would have created from the studio lights. The glasses purpose was to differentiate Lloyd from the character he portrayed in the film. He could then go out in public without glasses and was unrecognizable. At this time, the horn-rimmed style was new and fresh. They were large enough to be dramatic without being over the top.

Lloyd wore glasses whenever he acted. He stated that "They make low-comedy clothes unnecessary, permit enough romantic appeal to catch the feminine eye, usually diverted from comedies, and they hold me down to no particular type or range of story." The seventy-five cent pair of horn-rimmed glasses Lloyd bought lasted eighteen months. He patched them with things like glue and gum until he had to replace them. This look could have been the catalyst for society's image of a stereotypical "nerd," who wears thick, black-framed glasses held together with tape. Harold influenced young Americans to become consumers of these glasses.

The glasses continued to be popular through the 1920s, 1930s, and then reappeared in the 1950s. In the 1960s John Lennon, singer for The Beatles, donned his famous round, horn-rimmed glasses. As a teen, Lennon developed severe myopia, or shortsightedness, which required him to wear thick glasses. He adored Buddy Holly, a 1950s rock and roll singer, who was known for his horn-rims. However, Lennon was still reluctant to wear horn-rims for a consistent basis. Not until 1966 did Lennon adopt his trademark eyewear.

Horn-rimmed glasses continued to be worn in each decade following. Currently, in the 2000s, it seems that horn-rims are being altered to fit the times. Some wear the glasses without prescriptive lenses, reverting to Lloyd’s use of them, based purely on fashion.

Consumers

In the past, there was not a huge selection of eyeglasses. When horn-rimmed eyeglasses came out, they were popular in the meaning that many people had them. However, wearers of these glasses were thought of as nerdy, studious, and conservative.

Like most styles in the past, horn-rims have immerged once again. However, this time the pair makes its consumers look trendy, and current. Fashion icons have transformed the previously unflattering design into must haves. Emo girls and guys have recently adopted horn-rims. This type of person is described as “emotional” and seems to be unhappy more often than not. They listen to emo music, which could be punk or indie, and wear wristbands, tight tees with 80s prints, and have piercings and dark hair covering their eye. The current consumers of horn-rimmed glasses are seen as liberal.

Celebrities

Many celebrities through the decades are seen wearing horn-rimmed glasses. Here is a timeline of their appearance:

1910s-1940s

File:HaroldLloyd 044.jpg

Harold Lloyd

· Harold Lloyd wore them in all of his movies from his 1917 movie, “Over the Fence” to the 1947, "The Sin of Harold Diddlebock"

1950s

· Buddy Holly, a singer and songwriter of rock and roll music

· George Reeves' character Clark Kent in the original TV series Adventures of Superman

1960s

Barry Goldwater

· After buying contact lenses, American Senator Barry Goldwater continued wearing horn-rimmed eyeglasses without lenses because the public could not recognize him without the glasses

· The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon

1970s

· Elvis Costello, a British musician, singer, and songwriter of the "pub rock" genre, who was later known for punk rock and new wave music

1980s

· Bill Gates on the cover of the April 16, 1984 issue of Time magazine

1990s

Drew Carey

· Cartoonist Gary Larson illustrates characters wearing horn-rims in the San Francisco Chronicle comic strip “The Far Side”

· Drew Carey of The Drew Carey Show continues to wear horn-rims after having corrective laser eye surgery.

· Patrick Bateman, a main character and narrator of the Bret Easton Ellis’ novelAmerican Psycho, wore them. Oliver Peoples is the brand that is referenced.

· There was a reemergence of 1960s trends. With this,Mike Myers played Austin Powers, who wore them

2000s

Weezer

· Anne Hathaway’s character Mia in the movie The Princess Diaries

· Rivers Cuomo, front man of the rock band Weezer, is identified by his horn-rims

· Tina Fey, who was a writer on Saturday Night Live, is now on the show 30 Rock

· Actor Paul Marcarelli, the "Test Man" for Verizon Wireless commercials, is famous for the phrase, "Can you hear me know? Good"

· Jack Coleman's character Mr. Bennet is known on the show Heroes as "Horned-Rimmed Glasses"

References

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/horn-rimmed

http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/John_Lennon

http://www.silentsaregolden.com/hlloydglassesarticle.html

http://science.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/eyeglass-frame

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_200/243_fashion_advice.html

http://experts.about.com/e/g/gl/glasses.htm