Benjamin Franklin.
The U.S. founding father credited with inventing bifocal glasses is Benjamin Franklin. A man of remarkable intellect and versatility, Franklin was not only a key figure in the founding of the United States, but also an accomplished inventor, writer, scientist, and diplomat. Among his many contributions to science and daily life, the invention of bifocal glasses stands out as particularly practical and widely used even today.
Franklin, who struggled with both nearsightedness and farsightedness as he aged, grew tired of constantly switching between two pairs of glasses. To address this inconvenience, he devised a way to combine two lenses into a single frame. Around 1784, he created the first bifocal lenses by cutting two lenses in half – one for distance vision and the other for reading – and mounting them together in one frame. This allowed him to see both up close and at a distance without having to change glasses, making everyday tasks significantly easier.
Although there is some debate about whether Franklin was the absolute first to conceive of bifocals, he is widely credited with popularizing the design and is generally regarded as their inventor. His concept has had a lasting influence on eyewear and optometry.
Beyond bifocals, Franklin’s inventive genius extended to other areas as well. He created the Franklin stove, the lightning rod, and even contributed ideas to musical instruments. His practical innovations reflected his Enlightenment ideals – he believed in improving human life through reason, observation, and ingenuity. The invention of bifocal glasses is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.
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