Goggles help many athletes, recreational swimmers, divers and children in the water. Chlorine and saltwater can agitate the eyes easily, so moving and looking underwater can be painful as well as unhealthful. The invention of practical goggles for strictly underwater use began in the late 1960s, but had many predecessors that date to the 14th century.
Historic Eye Protection
According to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, records show that goggle-like equipment made out of polished tortoise shells was used by Persians in the 14th century. Illustrations found in the 16th century show Venetian coral divers using what seems to be protective eye equipment as well. Polynesian history also has documentation of eye equipment that was made out of bamboo. It didn't have any lenses, but created an air bubble around the eye. The Polynesians then added lenses when glass was invented.
Modern Goggle Influences
Protective eye equipment for swimmers started between 1911 and 1926. Thomas Burgess was the second person to swim across the English channel in 1911, and he used motorcycle glasses to help deter the effects of saltwater on his eyes and reduce the irritating force of the splashing waves. In 1926, Gentrude Ederle was the first women to swim across the English Channel. She, like Burgess, also wore motorcycle goggles to protect her eyes, but she also applied parafin wax to the goggles to make them more water tight. By the 1930s underwater diving and scuba diving became more prominent and advancements in goggles being used for water activity had increased some more. These goggles were wooden and were influenced by the historic Polynesian goggle-like apparatuses. The goggles for underwater diving were not allowed for competitive swimming, though.
The First Modern Goggle
The first underwater swimming goggles were used in the 1940s, and were large, round, double lens goggles. These were still not used for competitive swimming as they were too big and came off during quick turns. By 1968, there was finally a practical design for competitive swimming goggles. The design was one size that stayed on your head if it fit, but they did not fit everybody ideally. Eventually, by 1972, goggles had advanced enough so that they would fit and stay on different sized heads. At this point, they were standard swimming equipment, and were allowed for competitive swimming.
Advancement in Goggles
Major advancements in goggles have helped competitive and recreational swimmers. Goggles come in various shapes and sizes now, and have elastic, rubber straps that are more comfortable to wear on your head. They are also generally smaller, thus making them more hydrodynamic. Swimming goggles can even be fit with a lens prescription, which allows people with poor eyesight to still be able to swim competitively or not have to worry about applying contacts when swimming underwater with goggles.
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