Looking into Binocular History

Japanese Binocular Soccer

Binoculars were developed from the telescope. There are written references to telescopic optical instruments in documents originating before Galileo but the exact origin of the telescope is not really known.

One thing that is known with certainty is that the first patent application took place in 1608. A Dutch eyeglass maker named Jan Lippershey applied for a 30 year patent. He was then asked to make an optical instrument that could be used by two eyes and on December 9th 1608 he announced the completion of the world's first binocular instrument.

These early optical devices used quartz rather than glass due to the poor quality of the glass that was available at that time. These early devices were known as Galilean binoculars. In fact some historians claim that Galileo is actually the true inventor of binoculars. In 1618 he is reported to have produced a helmet featuring a twin telescope attachment intended to be used on board ships.

Although binoculars were available in the 17th and 18th centuries it wasn't until the early 19th that the quality of these instruments became any good. It was in the 1820s that Vienna based Johann Voigtlander designed and produced the first binoculars that featured extended eye tubes for focussing.

By the mid 19th century Galilean opera glasses or theatre glasses had become immensely popular. These ornate binoculars were very much the fashion accessory of the day. Some were extremely ornate featuring gold, silver, mother of pearl and enamel. Today these binoculars are highly sought after by collectors.

It was in the 1890s when the first prismatic binoculars became available. Today's prismatic binoculars use the same optical design as these early models.

Today binoculars are an essential tool used in countless situations. From ships at sea to bird watching, exploring and orienteering. A pair of binoculars should be on everyone's list of essential hiking or camping equipment.