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Goggles

technology Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Goggles are special eyewear made to keep your eyes safe. They cover the area around the eyes to stop harm. They can block tiny bits of dust or splashing water. They also stop dangerous chemicals from hitting your eyes.

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Your Quota Two eyes that see Protect them 2012 002 7217 xg94hq433 crop

People use them in science labs and for woodworking. You might see them used in snow sports or swimming too. They are very important tools for many different jobs.

Different goggles work in different ways to solve problems. Cold weather goggles often have two layers of glass called lenses. The inner lens stays warm near your face. The outer lens stays cold from the air. This stops water vapor from turning into fog on the lens.

Swimming goggles must be watertight to keep salt or pool water out. They help you see clearly while you are underwater. Power tool goggles use a strong material called polycarbonate. This material stops chunks of wood or metal from piercing the eye.

People have used goggles to protect themselves for a long time. The Inuit and Yupik people carved goggles from wood or shells. They used caribou antlers to make goggles for the snow. These had a thin slit to let in just a little light. They used caribou sinew to tie them to the head.

In 1875, Matthew Webb used goggles to swim the English Channel. He wanted to shield his eyes from salt water splashes. In 1903, pilots began wearing them to block wind and bugs. Charles Manly was likely the first pilot to wear them.

There are many specific types of goggles used today. Welding goggles protect eyes from heat and bright light. Laboratory goggles have side shields to stop chemical splashes.

Some goggles even help people see in the dark. These are called dark adaptor goggles. In sports, basketball players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wear them. These goggles protect them from being scratched by other players. They use polycarbonate lenses to stay safe during the game.

Many things you know use the same ideas as goggles. Virtual reality headsets are sometimes called goggles too. They show computer pictures that look three-dimensional.

Even animals use them to stay safe in the world. Racehorses wear goggles during fast races. Military dogs wear them during sandstorms or near helicopters. Goggles help both humans and animals see the world safely.

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