Alaska's Indigenous People Invented Snow Goggles for Enhanced Vision and Eye Protection

The ice-covered lands of the Arctic have long been home to the Inuit and Yup'ik people, two remarkable indigenous groups who have thrived in one of the world's harshest environments.

Among his many ingenious inventions, the simple snow goggles stand out as a fascinating example of human adaptability and innovation.

Worn by the Inuit and Yup'ik for centuries, these special goggles have not only protected their eyes from snow glare but also provided a window into the rich cultural heritage of these remarkable communities.

The Arctic region, with its icy tundra and vast expanses of ice, presents significant challenges to Alaska's indigenous peoples.

The Inuit and Yup'ik recognized the need to adapt to their environment and so, ice goggles were born.

Crafted from materials available in the area, such as wood, bone, ivory, or horn, these goggles were designed with precision to provide optimal protection against the glaring snow.

Their inventions demonstrated not only the ingenuity of these communities, but also their deep understanding of their surroundings and their ability to create solutions from the natural world.

Glasses are traditionally made of driftwood (especially spruce), bone, walrus ivory, caribou antler, or in some cases seaside grass.

The workpiece is carved to fit the wearer's face, and has one or more narrow horizontal slits carved through the front.

Glasses fit tightly to the face so that light enters only through the cracks, and are sometimes blackened on the inside to help reduce glare.

The slits are made narrow not only to reduce the amount of light entering but also to improve visual acuity. The wider slit results in a larger field of view.

The curved shape of the snow goggles not only helps provide an unobstructed field of vision, but also prevents the formation of condensation from breath and body heat.

Additionally, the materials used to manufacture these glasses proved to be ideal, as they did not freeze easily and remained durable even in extreme conditions.

Ice glasses have been found in Inuit archaeological sites dating back 2,000 years.

Like other words in the Inuit language, such as inukhuk/inuksuk, a different word may be used in different dialects. In the Kivalliq dialect, ilgaak is used, while in the Northern Baffin dialect, iggaak is used. Both terms are also used for sunglasses.

In Central Yup'ik, ice glasses are called nigaugek, while in Cup'ig they are called iguag. In Siberian Yup'ik, the word is iyagatek.

Beyond their practical function, ice goggles hold immense cultural significance for Inuit and Yup'ik communities.

They were not just a piece of spectacle, but a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of its people.

The art of making ice goggles was passed down from generation to generation, binding families and communities together through shared knowledge and skills.

Additionally, these glasses were often decorated with intricate carvings and designs, which served as a medium of artistic expression.

Each pair of glasses tells a unique story, reflecting the beliefs, myths and experiences of the individual wearer.