Snow goggles helped Arctic people survive
Object of the Month: 12/2007
What is it?:Snow goggles
Origin:
Alaska
Age: 1905
Made by:
Inuit people
What is it made of?:
Ivory and sinew
Accession #: A63:30:427
Snow goggles
Courtesy SMM
The Inuit of arctic North America used goggles like these in springtime to protect their eyes. The combination of clear skies, stronger sun and longer days created ideal conditions for snow blindness—an eye injury caused by glaring light bouncing in all directions off the wet, white snow.
The eyepieces, held in place by a braided sinew strap, are curved. They fit tightly against the face, blocking light from above, below and the sides. (Some Inuit darkened the insides with soot to further reduce glare.) The only light enters from the narrow slit in front. Like a permanent squint, snow goggles not only kept light to a minimum, but also helped focus images at a distance.
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