Nazi eyeglasses finally fade into oblivion

For nearly 20 years, the industry that makes eyeglasses seemed to be Nazi-controlled. Think back to yesteryear and recall how there was only one shape for eyeglasses: thin rectangles. Before the Nazi ultimatum came down, eyeglasses came in an assortment of shapes. But "not no more," as some of my local friends would say.

I remember going into eyeglass stores and looking around at all the nearly identical rectangular glasses. That's all there was. In exasperation, I'd trot over to the proprietor and ask, "Uh, do you have any other eyeglass shapes, any retro-glasses, maybe in a storeroom in back?" Nuh-uh. Only the Nazi glasses.

But finally, the tide turned. These days, you'll find all sorts of eyeglasses when you visit an optometrist. SF Gate has a photo feature today, showing the various frames used by "hipsters" (a term I detest).

We finally broke free and I have no clue why it took so long. Personally, I felt the rigid reliance on a thin, rectangular shape was imposed by artistically-challenged heterosexual designers. I also had a suspicion that they knew these frames were an awful idea and launched them as a prank. Surely, no one thought they were attractive. How they must have laughed!

Anyway, live and breathe. Go buy new glasses if you're still wearing the thin, ugly kind. You're allowed to, now. Hooray!