X-Ray Glasses

Background

X-ray glasses are a novelty product designed to create the illusion that the user can see through solid objects. They are plastic framed eyeglasses with special lenses made of cardboard. The manufacturing process involved in their production includes plastic stamping, papermaking, printing and gluing. Inspired by the real discovery of x rays by nineteenth century scientists, x-ray glasses were introduced during the 1940s as a gag product. Today, they have become timeless icons of American pop culture. X-ray glasses do not actually allow the user to see through objects. They are constructed of a plastic frame with lenses of heavy cardboard. In the center of each lens, small holes about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) in diameter are punched out. Feathers that create a polarizing effect cover the holes. When looking through the hole, objects appear to have a transparent outline and a solid center. This effect creates the illusion of x-ray vision. The prankster then uses the glasses and pretends to be able to see through things like walls, clothes, and other objects. History The idea to create x-ray glasses could not have been conceived until real x rays were discovered. This was done by Wilhelm Roentgen around 1895. In the late nineteenth century, Roentgen and other scientists were working with electrons. He wanted to visually capture their movement so he wrapped a Crookes tube in black photographic paper. During the experiment Roentgen found that a plate coated with fluorescent material began to glow. He knew this should only happen if the material was exposed to visible light. Roentgen reasoned that there must be some kind of invisible light and upon further investigation he characterized this newly discovered light. Roentgen found that the invisible light could penetrate materials such as aluminum, wood and human skin. He called the new discovery x rays and was first to publish an x-ray image. Over the next few decades, the science of x rays was further understood and the technology was applied to medicine. While scientists had a basic understanding of x rays, the general public developed some erroneous notions. Many people mistakenly believed that x rays could penetrate solid materials, that they could use them to see through things like walls, boxes, and clothes. This myth was reinforced with comic book heroes like Superman who could use x-ray vision to see through solid objects. An early precursor to x-ray glasses was the Wonder tube, introduced during the 1940s. This product, produced by the S. S. Adams Company, was a tube with a single hole that had a small feather across it. The feather was hidden inside the tube so the user was unaware of its existence. When the user looked at their hand through the tube, it appeared as though they could see their bones. The fine spacing between the strands that make up the feather created this illusion. X-ray specs were later introduced by the Adams Company. At the time, they were relatively popular. This was probably because the notion of x rays was new and not well understood. Today, the public is more knowledgeable and people do not really believe there are glasses that can allow them to see through objects. However, x-ray glasses continue to amuse the novelty buying public and they remain an icon of American pop culture.