The dangers of synthetic frames

It's become a bit of a Friday afternoon ritual to read the  Echoes of the Past slot in Optician. Whether it be 25, 50, 75 or 100 years ago there is always something poignant or pithy to close the gap between the years.

Geek chic, Mad Men style, vintage with a modern twist. Call them what you will,  heavier frames have been an optical phenomenon for a few years now. Back in the 1930's  shell frames had also shocked the market when they shot to popularity as an import from the good old US of A.

Those attuned to the business saw the dangers and a warning  was sounded in Optician May 5 1939. In the issue mentioned Neville Chappell was urging opticians to return to gold-filled rimless products and eschew the economically dangerous trend for synthetic shell frames. Such frames, he warned, can be stamped and moulded quickly and cheaply while skilled and intricate processes are required to make a gold filled rimless.