| Like many inventions, Opera Glasses came into | | | | Two years later in Paris, Pierre Lemiere improved |
| existence as a result of a long line of inventions, | | | | on this design and created a center focus wheel. |
| and further improvements upon those inventions. | | | | This allowed the focusing of both telescopes |
| The process started in the year 1608 when a | | | | together. After this development, opera glasses |
| Dutch optician by the name of Hans Lipperhey | | | | and theater binoculars grew in popularity because |
| developed the first pair of binoculars with a | | | | of the superior view they facilitated in opera and |
| magnification capability of X3. Less than a year | | | | theater houses. The beautiful design of the |
| later, a well known inventor and philosopher by | | | | glasses themselves also added appeal to the |
| the name of Galileo developed what became | | | | opera-going crowd. By the 1850's opera glasses |
| known as the Galilean telescope which had a | | | | and theater glasses had become a must-have |
| magnification capability of x30 which allowed him | | | | fashion accessory for all opera and theater-goers. |
| to search the heavens. | | | | Today, in modern opera glasses, the design Galileo |
| Advertisements were first found for opera | | | | implemented in his first telescope 400 years ago |
| glasses and theater binoculars in London as early | | | | is still in use today, although there have been |
| as 1730 in the form of a long collapsible telescope. | | | | many improvements to the design over the |
| The "Opera Glass" as it was referred to; was | | | | years. Opera glasses offer a front row view, |
| often covered in enamel, gems, ivory, or other | | | | regardless of where you seat is. Opera glasses |
| art and paintings. | | | | and theater binoculars now come in many |
| For almost 100 years opera glasses existed | | | | varieties. There are opera glasses with chains, |
| merely as telescopes. In Vienna in 1823 the first | | | | with handles, and lights for reading your program |
| binocular opera glasses and theater binoculars | | | | discreetly during the performance. They also |
| began to appear. They were two simple Galilean | | | | come in many materials, styles, and colors to fit |
| telescopes with a bridge in the center, each | | | | each personality. |
| telescope focused independently from the other | | | | Make every seat the front seat! Improve your |
| by extending or shortening the telescope until a | | | | view at the theater too! Find your own pair of |
| desired focus was achieved, which was useful, | | | | opera glasses today by clicking on the link below. |
| yet very cumbersome. | | | | |