Normalizing Vision: The Representation and Use of Spectacles and Eyeglasses in Victorian Britain

Abstract This study explores the representation and use of Victorian visual aids, specifically focusing on how design spectacle eyeglass frames shaped ideas ‘normal’ ‘abnormal’ body. It contributes to our understanding assistive technologies in period by showcasing usefulness material evidence for exploring an object was produced perceived. By placing aids their medical cultural context first time, it will show develops society more broadly. Contemporaries drew upon industrialization, increasing education, proliferation print explain a rise refractive vision ‘errors’. Through three from London Science Museum’s collections, this representations manufacture transformed response these wider changes. The evidence, as well contemporary newspapers, periodicals, texts, reveal that evolved unusual mainstream device. argues are unique technology, one is able inform Victorians measured body constructed ‘normalcy’ ‘abnormalcy’.