Before Glasses, Half Of Humanity Couldn't See — The Invention Monks Tried To Ban

Before glasses were invented, millions of people lived with blurred vision—unable to read, recognize faces, or work in skilled professions. But when eyeglasses finally appeared in the 13th century, they weren’t celebrated… they were feared, banned, and even linked to witchcraft. In this episode of *The Parts That Made Us*, we explore the complete history of glasses—from ancient Roman magnifying stones to medieval monks struggling to read, from religious opposition and anonymous inventors to Benjamin Franklin’s bifocals and the modern screen-driven vision crisis. This isn’t just the story of a simple tool—it’s a story about science, power, superstition, and how one overlooked invention changed the course of human civilization. If you enjoy uncovering the hidden history behind everyday objects, make sure to subscribe and let us know what you want to see next.