Goggles

Image:Seal Swim Goggles.jpg Image:5558goggle.jpg Image:Blowtorching goggles and helmet.jpg Goggles and safety glasses are forms of protective eyewearthat usually enclose or protect the eye area in order to prevent particulates or chemicals from striking the eyes. They are used in chemistry laboratories and in woodworking. They are often used in snow sports as well, and in swimming. Goggles are often worn when using power toolssuch as drillsor chainsawsto prevent flying particles from damaging the eyes. Many types of goggles are available as prescription eyewear for those with vision problems.

The Inuitcarved goggles from caribouantlerto help prevent snowblindness. The goggles were curved to fit the users face and had a large groove cut in the back to allow for the nose. A long thin slit was cut through the goggles to allow in a small amount of light. The goggles were held to the head by a cord made of caribou sinew.

The requirements for goggles varies depending on the use. Some examples:

• Swimming: Must be watertight to prevent water, such as salt waterwhen swimming in the ocean, from irritating the eyes or blurring vision. Allows swimmers to see clearly underwater.
• Power tools: Must be made of an unbreakable material that prevents chunks of metal, wood, plastic, concrete, and so on from hitting or piercing the eye. Usually has some sort of ventilation to prevent sweat from building up inside the goggles and fogging the surface.
• Motorcycleriding and other open-air activities: Prevents insects, dust, and so on from hitting the eyes.
• Laboratory: Combines impact resistance with side shields to prevent chemical splashes reaching the eyes. May also include laser protection.
• Racquetball: Protect the eyes from racquets swinging in an enclosed area and from impact from hard rubber ball.
• Snowsports: Protect the eyes from glare and from icy particles flying up from the ground.
• Meteorology: dark adaptor gogglesare used before going outside at night, in order to help the eyes adapt to the dark.
• Basketball: Several NBAplayers have worn goggles during play, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Horace Grantand Kurt Rambis.

Image:Inuit Goggles.jpg

Fictional context

In anime, goggles (or sunglasses) worn or kept on the forehead/headgear by a character are a sign of decisiveness, bravery, or leadership position. This may have been inspired by the aviatorsof old, or by historical figures such as George Pattonor Erwin Rommel. Such characters are commonly known as "Goggleboys", "Gogglegirls", or, as the Digimon Adventure 02character Rika designated the lead character Takato, "Gogglehead".

A scene in The Simpsons, where Rainier Wolfcastleunsuccessfully tries to shield himself from a giant wave of acid by using protective goggles, has made it into the halls of internet humor. The associated phrase "My eyes...the goggles do nothing!" is often used as a humorous exclamation after viewing something unpleasant (though it is often misquoted as "The goggles... they do nothing!").

See also

• Eye protection
• Hard hat
• Night vision goggles
• Protective clothing
• Steel-toe boots
• Safety engineeringja:ゴーグル

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goggles Wikipedia article Goggles.