The Arctic environment, with its vast expanses of snow and ice, can be perilous for unprotected eyes. The snow reflects a significant portion of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, creating an intense glare that can cause a condition known as snow blindness. This temporary but painful condition results from the cornea being sunburned by exposure to UV rays, leading to symptoms such as pain, tearing, redness, and in severe cases, temporary vision loss.

Called ilgaak in Inuktitut and nigaugek in Central Yupik, snow goggles were first used by Inuit people up to 2,000 years ago. Made from materials most readily available in the Arctic landscape – bone, antler, hoof, wood, even whale baleen – and carved to follow the facial contours of the individual wearer.

A horizontal slit cut into the frame reduces the light that can enter the eye while still allowing for a wide field of vision. This prevents photokeratitis (also known as ‘snow blindness’), a danger for inhabitants of Arctic conditions.

Inuit snow goggles were typically made from materials readily available in their environment, such as driftwood, bone, antler, or even walrus ivory. The goggles were carved to fit the contours of the face snugly, ensuring minimal exposure to the harsh elements. The key feature of these goggles was the narrow slits cut into the front of the goggles. These slits were just wide enough to allow the wearer to see but small enough to reduce the amount of sunlight entering the eyes.

The design of the slits was critical. By limiting the amount of light entering the eyes, the slits helped to reduce glare and filter out harmful UV rays. This design was remarkably effective, as it allowed the Inuit to move through their snowy landscapes without the risk of snow blindness, even on the brightest days. Some snow goggles were also blackened on the inside with soot, further reducing reflections and glare.

Inuit snow goggles were typically made from materials readily available in their environment, such as driftwood, bone, antler, or even walrus ivory. The goggles were carved to fit the contours of the face snugly, ensuring minimal exposure to the harsh elements. The key feature of these goggles was the narrow slits cut into the front of the goggles. These slits were just wide enough to allow the wearer to see but small enough to reduce the amount of sunlight entering the eyes.

The design of the slits was critical. By limiting the amount of light entering the eyes, the slits helped to reduce glare and filter out harmful UV rays. This design was remarkably effective, as it allowed the Inuit to move through their snowy landscapes without the risk of snow blindness, even on the brightest days. Some snow goggles were also blackened on the inside with soot, further reducing reflections and glare.

For thousands of years, this anti-glare technology remained the standard for eye protection in extreme polar conditions. A photograph taken before Roald Amundsen’s Antarctic expedition of 1911-12 shows the group wearing snow goggles, each pair designed and made by the owner.

The same principle can be found throughout the history of optics, as in a pair of ‘Sun Spectacles’ from the 1940s, made by London opticians Cleevis.

The Cubitts Workshop created their own version of the Inuit snow goggles. A remake of a 15th century model in hand carved wood, with a leather strap. Try them on in The Speculator.