These cobalt blue clip-on lenses by Fendall, dating to 1955, represent a specialized category of industrial eye protection designed to shield workers’ eyes from the intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation emitted during welding, metal blowing, and foundry work. The deep cobalt blue tint of the glass is not merely decorative — cobalt blue glass has specific light-filtering properties that absorb the harmful wavelengths of radiation generated by molten metal and electric arcs, making it a practical choice for industrial eye protection in the pre-modern era of occupational safety.
The clip-on design was particularly practical for workers who already wore corrective spectacles — rather than requiring a separate pair of prescription safety glasses, the cobalt blue lenses could be clipped directly over existing eyewear, providing protection without the expense or inconvenience of duplicate eyewear. The frame’s front bridge is signed “Fendall,” identifying the manufacturer — a company that no longer exists independently, having been acquired by Dalloz of France and subsequently by Honeywell Safety Products, a lineage that traces the evolution of industrial safety equipment from small specialty manufacturers to global corporate safety divisions.
Each lens carries edge markings indicating their optical specifications, and the lenses admit very little light — making them unsuitable for everyday use but precisely calibrated for their intended purpose of industrial eye protection. The striking visual impact of the deep cobalt blue lenses against the silver metal frame makes this a visually compelling piece, and the specific 1955 date places it at the beginning of the modern era of codified industrial safety standards in American manufacturing. A wonderful crossover piece for collectors of both vintage eyewear and industrial history.
