23 January 2010

Things optical

The quest for new glasses for my difficult eyes led, of course, to a visit to the optician's, where this space-alien instrument for fitting glasses lives. They also use this - a dispenser's rule is apparently what it's called -
And the back has more arcane symbolism -- archaeologists of the future would call this "a ritual object" no doubt -
The assistant dug in her desk drawer and found another of these ritual objects -
Soon to be superseded by digital technology? Fascinating relics. The unexpected encounter softens the financial blow of new glasses (yet again, already) somewhat.

2 comments:

magsramsay said...

For all the technology, it still relies on you telling them whether its brighter against red or green (I can never tell) or the distance you're holding something to read.
Great pictures! I was probably the last generation to know how to use a slide rule before calculators took over( my chemistry teacher called it a 'guessing stick' )

The Idaho Beauty said...

Ahhh, looks familiar. I just went through the same process and am cringing at what I am spending on both the eye exam and the state of the art lenses and artsy frames. But in our "business" the eyes are everything and we must see well! (As well as look fashionable, right?)