![]() ![]() At right is an early WWI mask-less pair of split-lens goggles/spectacles ![]() Similar types were worn by artillerymen in the Crimean and American Civil War. ![]() Designed to protect the eyes from smoke, ash and cinders in open carriages. They were probably a logical development of the nineteenth century ‘railway glasses’. Their general use in Edwardian times and during WWI later adoption by various armed forces and then mass production during the Soviet era in both Eastern Europe and China means there are some very rare versions, and some very common ones.įigure 3. With their good peripheral vision it is said the design inspired the WWII RAF split lens types. Post WWII cheaper light leatherette versions were mass produced in the Soviet Block to be used by government workers and sold to the general public. From 1934 Russian motorised troops, from motorcyclists to tank crews were issued with a heavy leather version of the type, which with the exigencies of war was rapidly replaced with artificial leather during the Second World War. This metal hinged Japanese version with its neat case appears to be the basis for the Type 59 Chinese general purpose and tank goggles produced through the 1960s to 1975. They became standard Japanese Army and Navy Landing Force Type 5 dust goggles throughout the 1930s and WWII. They were popular with Edwardian motorists and pre and early World War I aviators. They could be folded into a very compact shape and allowed good peripheral vision. They may have been a development of the 19th century ‘Railway Spectacle’ with protective glass side panels (Fig. The earliest advertisement sighted for this kind is dated 1904. This goggle type has its roots in France, with most references relating them to ‘early French types’. Figure 1, Pre WWI United States Air Corps pilot wearing folding lens goggles ![]()
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