Author Archive

Keeping it Real – Part 1: The Monocle

Vernon

Vernon D. is a member of VSP's Provider Services team.

Originally designed to closely examine engravings and antiques in the 1720s (!), the monocle didn’t find it’s way into the hearts of dandy men until the 1790s. Generally associated with rich upper-class men, the monocle served as one of the many shiny gems for the stereotypical 1890s capitalist. Monocle - Joseph_Chamberlain

Being one of the earliest forms of corrective lenses, this masterpiece of mega-post modern history was able to make it’s way to all of the different socioeconomic classes – albeit in different forms. The first is seemingly the most basic, a simple metal loop with a lens fitted in the middle. The second much more elaborate, known for the “gallery.”  This fine piece of monocular achievement was created with a raised edge around the frame to secure it in the socket while raising the lens slightly - allowing the wearer to blink ferociously without fear of having the eyelashes interfere with the lens. The third was frameless and Monocle - Catmore inexpensive, consisting of a simple lens with a serrated edge (really?) to secure it to the eye socket, drilled in the side was a tiny hole for the chain.

peanut

Now let’s have a collective vote on which style Mr. Peanut is currently sporting… But why no pants?

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to FurlAdd to Newsvine

The future is now! Eyeglass mounted data manipulated through eye movements.

Vernon D. is a member of VSP's Provider Services team.

Vernon D. is a member of VSP's Provider Services team.

The Germans have done it again – from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems comes the first active heads-up-display system mounted within eyeglass frames. This allows the user to view and manipulate data with simple eye movements. Eye movements!Von den Augen abgelesen

The images are projected onto the retina and appear as if from a meter (ahem – that’s about 3.2 feet) away from the user. You then have the ability to scroll by slowly gazing downward/upward, and can toggle through different menus by simply focusing on different areas of the window pane.

terminator1

So you’re asking yourself (even though it’s awesome) how is this even useful if I’m not a terminator from the future via SkyNet searching for John Connor? Good question. The researchers suggest that it would be most useful in those situations where the users hands are otherwise occupied – medical technicians for example.

Just don’t get an eyelash stuck in your eye – then you’d be rerouted to Friendster. Friendster I tell you!

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to FurlAdd to Newsvine

Program calculates your future child's eye color, chance to prove it wrong arrives.

EyeColorEver stay awake at night pondering your next child’s eye color? Well then the wait is OVER!

A fun little program from The Tech Museum of Innovation will do all of the legwork for you, just input eye color information from immediate family members (and your mate’s family members) and the end result

is a high probability of your future child’s eye color. Cleo would be proud.

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to FurlAdd to Newsvine

EyeDefender program fights eyestrain, does not include the ability to see through walls.

EyeDefender

People with prolonged, uninterrupted use of the computer are easily susceptible to CVS (computer vision syndrome), which symptoms include blurred vision, neck pain, and headaches. EyeDefender was created to force users to take “vision breaks”, and creates a visual exercise in order to relax the eyes, thus reducing the symptoms of CVS. This free download (windows only) is available at:

http://www.eterlab.com/eyedefender/.

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to FurlAdd to Newsvine