The use of magnifying glass as a corrective system for the eyesight is said to date back to the Roman emperor Nero who, it seems, used an emerald as a monocle though not much credence should be given to this story. About 150 years after Christ, Ptolemy discovered certain fundamental repetitive optical phenomena concerning the refraction of light and wrote extensively on the subject. During the twelfth century, only some magnification systems were known. These made use of simple pieces of concave or convex glass that did not give a real picture of things. They were not widely used because they distorted reality. The first documentary evidence of magnifying glass being used to correct eyesight dates back to thirteenth century Europe. Basing themselves on the theories of the Arab mathematician, Alhazen, medieval monks invented the so-called "reading stone" which they used to transcribe old books. This mainly consisted of rock crystal. The first person to describe the use of magnifying glasses to improve eyesight was Roger Bacon in 1262. He made various experiments with magnifying glasses and mirrors and described the principles of reflection and refraction. Roger Bacon was admired and protected by Pope Clement IV, but when the pope died he had to continue his studies in secret. He was discovered, accused of heresy and put in prison. When he got out, he continued his experiments but 300 years went by before Snellius formulated the laws of refraction between 1600 and 1620.

The pewter handles of our magnifying glasses are attached using a special technique: the molten pewter is directly cast onto the lens to form what is really a single element in which the "hardness" of the glass of the lens discreetly dissolves into the "soft" surface of the pewter handle.

The alloy used satisfies all EEC and USA regulations governing containers for alimentary use.