[MR] Re-enactment canceled

[Michael Beedy]

I certainly agree with the fact that most people probably are not showing up in anything even remotely similar to "period accurate" sunglasses, and I would agree that Oakleys and Foster Grants would be inappropriate but not all sunglasses are inappropriate.  And some people (myself included) are very sensitive to light and must wear sunglasses when outside to avoid serious headaches.  The glasses I wear at SCA events are simple wire frames that are fitted over my prescription glasses.  They would not qualify as "period" for us or for ACW re-enactors, but 1.  they are necessary and 2. they are very modest and conservative.  
   
  And an M-16 at Gettysburg would have been quite effective and I bet if someone showed up at an ACW re-enactment, it would certainly be interesting!  ;o)
   
  Sebastien

Charlotte Johnson <mathilde at mathildegirlgenius.com> wrote:
  
> I hate to break the news to the reporter that wrote that article or the 
> re-enactors who are making a fuss about the historical authenticity of 
> sunglasses, but sunglasses were first invented in 1752 by James 
> Ayscough an eye glass designer, more than 100 years before the Civil War 
> began. Now although the tinting of the glasses was green and blue and not 
> directly made for shielding the eyes from the sun, I have no doubt that 
> at least a partial side effect of the tinting was shading the effects 
> of the sun.

If somebody showed up in period correct glasses for that era, I doubt there
would be any problem. I suspect that the sunglasses that are being banned are a
far cry from what our ancestors wore during the ACW. To say that tinted lenses
were in use, therefore, all sunglasses should be acceptable, would be like
saying that an M-16 would be an appropriate weapon for the battlefield at
Gettysburg, since they had guns, after all. ;-)

Cheers,
Charlotte


		
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