alexgpark

Ilgaak - a type of eyewear traditionally used by the Inuit people of the Arctic to prevent snow blindness. The first noted historical instance of sunglasses.

The goggles are traditionally made of a piece of bone or ivory pierced with slits but new ones may be made with wood. The goggles fit tightly against the face so that the only light entering is through the slits. Soot was sometimes used on the inside to help cut down on glare. The slit is made narrow not only to reduce the amount of light entering but also to improve the visual acuity, simulating the effect of squinting to see better.

The greater the width of the slits the larger the field of view.

Serving as inspiration for one of my current projects…