Green eyeshades are a type of visor that were worn most often from the late 1800s to the middle 1900s by accountants, telegraphers, copy editors and others engaged in vision-intensive, detail-oriented occupations in order to lessen eye strain. Because they were often worn by people involved in accounting, auditing, fiscal management, economics, and budgeting, they became commonly associated with these activities. The term "green eye-shades" can be applied derogatorily to individuals who are excessively concerned with pecuniary matters or small and insignificant details.
Green eyeshades were often made of a transparent dark green or blue-green colored plastic precursor known as celluloid, although leather and paper were used to make the visor portion as well, and were intended to shield the eyes from eyestrain and other effects of early incandescent lights, which tended to be harsh. One manufacturer, The Featherweight Eyeshade Company described their eyeshade as "restful" to the eyes. Eyeshades were offered for sale through office supply stores through the 1950s.
Several individuals, including one William Mahoney, received patents for their designs of eyeshades. Author Carl Sandburg wore a green eyeshade and his eyeshade is on display at his former residence of Connemara at Flat Rock, North Carolina. The Society of Professional Journalists annually recognizes deserving journalists working in the Southern United States with its Green Eyeshade Excellence in Journalism Award[1]. The gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson popularized the head gear for a new generation of readers. His green eyeshade was common alongside his cigarette holder, amber sunglasses, hawaiian shirts, and bermuda shorts and may be seen in the films Where the Buffalo Roam and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
In the cartoon world, the Walt Disney character Scrooge McDuck was repeatedly seen in green eyeshades, being a duck of the finance trade. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Data wore a green eyeshade when the senior officers played poker.
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