![]() Other than optical coatings introduced during the war to aid light transmission and reduce reflection, there has been no other technological advancement of great significance for all that time. When you consider how much cameras, microscopes and other optical devices have changed, it's remarkable that binoculars have remained so much the same. ![]() ![]() View Gallery: Photos: Look inside Antique Galleries of Palm Springsīinoculars were first invented in France in the 1840s. They started small, primarily as opera glasses, but by the Civil War were being used in battle. These larger versions became known as field glasses. Although such instruments were often purchased privately by officers on both sides, a few were actually issued and carried either "U.S." or "C.S.A." (Confederate States of America) imprints. Those markings add substantial value.Įarly versions were little more than two telescopes joined together. A series of lenses created magnification but the addition of prisms around 1900 made for a much better viewing experience.īy World War I, binoculars were widely used although few had a magnification greater than 6x. Short and squat, Bausch & Lomb binoculars with brass prism covers and a distinctive orange leather covering are popular artifacts from that era. Their value is modest (usually around $100) but they were well-made and remain useful today.Īnd that's one of the most interesting things about binoculars. Unlike any other viewing instrument, basic binocular design has remain unchanged for 100 years. Indeed, many binoculars made during World War II - and there were dozens of varieties on both sides - are still considered today to be among the best you can buy. ![]()
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