Snow Goggles Are Masterpiece of Inuit Indigenous Innovation

Whereas most readers would by no means count on to see the phrases “snow goggles” and “historical historical past” in the identical sentence, snow goggles are literally nothing new. Regardless of being a modern-day necessity in snow-covered areas, snow goggles had been first invented as an indispensable survival instrument by the ancestors of the Inuit within the Arctic North of historical historical past. And so they had been fairly snazzy too!

Should you’re questioning why the proto-Inuit would have wanted such a classy accent, assume once more. These historical snow goggles , relationship again so far as 2,000 years, had been first developed as an indigenous reply to a painful situation often known as snow blindness. The roots of snow goggles have been traced again to the Previous Bering Sea tradition that existed on either side of the Bering Strait . The custom of utilizing snow goggles was then handed right down to the present-day Eskimos.

Attributable to extended or extra publicity to ultraviolet gentle reflecting off the snow or ice, in addition to the freezing wind, the situation is in essence a sort of sunburn of the cornea which may be prevented through the use of eye safety. This was significantly essential in a area which experiences 24-hour daylight through the summer time, or as a lot as six months of daylight on the North Pole .

Snow goggles, a.ok.a. ikgaak or nigaugek, had been traditionally utilized by the precursors of the Inuit and the Yupik peoples. Made from supplies discovered within the surrounding atmosphere, equivalent to antlers, walrus ivory, whalebone, bark and even driftwood, these snow goggles are examples of primitive sustainable engineering.

{Photograph} by Archibald Fleming of an Inuit man sporting wood snow goggles with slits for eye safety. (Public area)

The indigenous peoples of what’s now Alaska would carve these supplies to suit their faces completely, after which add slits to permit for restricted visibility. This may assist shield their eyes from the glare brought on by the snow-covered environment. In some instances, the snow goggles had been painted darkish black to scale back the blinding glare much more.

Particular person snow goggles had been adorned with distinctive markings, patterns and designs, which leading to one in every of a form eyewear. They had been then connected to the face utilizing natural cords, made out of caribou sinew for instance. Snow goggles assorted in line with local weather, geography and entry to uncooked supplies. Within the Aleutian Islands, the Aleuts used visors as an alternative. A pair of snow goggles found on St. Lawrence Island and utilized by the Siberian Yupik individuals had slits resembling Venetian blinds.

Surprisingly, these historical snow goggles functioned very similar to corrective eyewear, a whole lot of years earlier than eyeglasses had been first invented. A lot the identical as a pinhole digital camera, the slit has additionally been discovered to enhance eyesight. May or not it’s that the proto- Inuit had been additionally deliberately enhancing their skill to see?

High picture: Walrus ivory snow goggles, created by the proto-Inuit Thule tradition of Alaska, relationship again to about 800 to 1200 AD. Supply: Public domain