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From: Judson McClendon on 27 Jan 2008 10:52
"Judson McClendon" <judmc(a)sunvaley0.com> wrote:
>I was just browsing the 'net and ran across a picture of those old X-Ray
> glasses they used to advertize in the back of magazines for 50 cents or
> so back in the 1950's. Remember, they appeared to be made of cardboard,
> shaped and printed like a pair of glasses, and usually had spiral designs
> on the 'lenses', with a small hole in the center. I always new they were
> fake and never bought a pair, though now I wish I had, for my curiosity
> keeps bugging me every time I see one of those old photos. Has anybody
> here ever seen them? Were they what I described above from the photo, or
> did they have any type of lens or optical effect? I'm betting just a
> pinhole in the cardboard.
>
> The importance of this could hardly be less, but a strong, unsatisfied
> curiosity can be a worrisome thing. :-)

After posting that, I did a web search. I had done so several years ago,
and didn't see any actual descriptions. There is now a Wikipedia article
on them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Ray_Specs_(novelty) saying the
'lenses' consisted of two pieces of cardboard with a .25" hole through
them, and feathers between. Apparently the feathers cause a double blurred
image, which is supposed to give the effect of seeing something through a
shadow outline, like flesh over bones or clothes over a body. Another link
http://www.blamepro.com/how/how4.htm says the same thing.

Worrisome curiosity appeased. :-)
--
Judson McClendon judmc(a)sunvaley0.com (remove zero)
Sun Valley Systems http://sunvaley.com
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."


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