From John Lennon to Oprah: A Brief History Of Round Frame Glasses

In modern society, we’re so used to eyeglasses that it’s hard to imagine a time before they existed. In fact, historians have trouble pinpointing who exactly invented the darn things! But while the precise origin of glasses may be lost in the sands of time, history does give us clues.

The first basic lenses were made of crystal, fashioned by the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians. Much later, the Roman Emperor Nero apparently wore the world’s first sunglasses—emerald lenses he used to watch his beloved gladiator fights. By the 2nd century, the fabled Greek astrologer Ptolemy shared his theories on vision and convex lenses in his book Optics.

One fact that was clear in those early years was that curved, circular-shaped lenses allowed for better focus. Today, modern technology allows lensmakers to design lenses in a broader range of shapes. Yet those early round lenses—and the frames that went along with them—have never gone out of style!

Here’s a look back at the history of this practical yet always en vogue look.

The First Portrait of Round Frame Glasses

Likely the oldest surviving visual depiction of anyone wearing round frame glasses is the painting of Italian Cardinal Hugo of Provence (aka Hugh de St. Cher) by Tommaso da Modena. As you can see in this 1352 portrait, the good cardinal is quite busy with his scribblings and using specs to see better.

Alas, this image is probably not entirely accurate since this style of glasses wasn’t invented during Hugh’s lifetime! Still, they do look quite fetching on him…

The Growing Popularity of Round Frame Glasses

The round frame style continued to develop and become popularized over the years, spreading across Europe (at least, to those who could afford the luxury of eyewear). Spanish poet and nobleman Francisco de Quevedo famously rocked the round lens look in portraits and even a statue on display in Madrid. Though he lived ~500 years ago, Quevedo’s confident style remains fresh and contemporary!

Round Glasses Move To America

As European settlers found their way to North America, so did round frames. Indeed, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was a huge fan of the style.

When he wasn’t helping to launch new nations (or experimenting with kites and electricity), Franklin loved inventing things. As he got older, his vision changed and he had to keep switching between two pairs of glasses. Finally fed up, he invented “double spectacles”—the world’s first bifocals!

Round Frames and Creative Types

As new frame styles were introduced, round frames never went away…but to some extent, they began to be associated with artists and intellectuals. By the 1880s, the style was known as “Windsor glasses” and one of the more prominent wearers was none other than acclaimed Irish writer James Joyce. Joyce would hardly be the last of the “creative” types to wear the style, but he did help set the stage for things to come.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Round Frame Glasses

Of course, it wasn’t only artistic types who sported the round frame style. The intrepid US President Theodore Roosevelt (after whom the “Teddy Bear” is named) famously donned oval-shaped Windsors when he wasn’t wearing his temple-less pince-nez (i.e. “pinch nose”) frames.

Gandhi Revolutionizes Round Frame Glasses

A few decades later (and on the other side of the globe), a human rights champion and fellow round-framed glasses wearer would soon capture the world’s interest.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as the Mahātmā, inspired millions with his determination to fight for Indian independence through nonviolent resistance. Many people today still think of Gandhi—whom Albert Einstein called the “greatest man of our age”—when they see a pair of regal Windsor frames.

Trivia: A pair of Gandhi’s favorite Windsors recently sold for $340,000 at auction.

Round Frames Lighten Up

A contemporary of Gandhi, beloved Hollywood comedian Julius “Groucho” Marx helped popularize the Windsor style in film (while starring in features with his siblings as the legendary “Marx Brothers”).

Marx’s dark, distinctive eyebrows and mustache, combined with his iconic circular frames of choice, gave birth to the classic “Groucho glasses” novelty disguise. For years, this helped promote the esteemed style as being both witty and light-hearted.

Round Frames Start Rockin’

No article on the history of round frames would be complete without discussing John Lennon! A founding member of the most influential band of all time (the Beatles, if we really have to say it), the bespeckled guitarist, songwriter, and peace activist was renowned for his casually cool style…accentuated by his ever-present circular eyeglasses.

The rock legend’s signature look first came about while playing a small role in the film How I Won The War. Lennon loved his “granny glasses” so much, he rarely wore any other style. Instead, he would don different Windsors for different occasions, including the gold-framed pair with orange-tinted lenses that he became most synonymous with.

Round Frames For Entrepreneurs

Apple co-founder and iconoclast Steve Jobs reportedly based his choice of eyewear on his spiritual idol, Gandhi. The billionaire entrepreneur was even quoted as saying “There is no one that embodies better what I want to become, other than Gandhi, he changed the world.”

While his rimless frames weren’t an exact copy of the Mahātmā’s, Jobs’ circular lenses otherwise matched the symbolic look, effortlessly bringing the vibe into the 21st century.

Oprah Loves Her Round Frames, Too!

In an article featuring lots of men, we thought we’d end with one of the world’s richest women! Billionaire media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey is well known for her love of international glasses shopping. Oprah owns several pairs featuring round frames in all sorts of vibrant colors.

While glasses lenses and frames can be made in an assortment of shapes and styles these days, the regal round frame continues to prove itself to be both timeless and trendy.

Hope you liked this article about the history of round framed glasses and a few of the famous people who've worn them over the decades!

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