The sun beat down mercilessly on the dusty Kill Devil Hills. Orville, the pilot meticulously polished the Wright Flyer. Wilbur, meanwhile, paced back and forth, muttering about the dusty wind and the glare of the sun.
“Honestly, Orville,” Wilbur grumbled, “losing my beloved sunnies during the fly like that…it’s a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions!”
“It was an accident,” Orville corrected, not looking up from his work. “And I’m sure we can find another one in town. Besides, we have more pressing matters. We need to capitalize on our…invention.”
“ the thing that allowed us to soar through the air like eagles!” Orville exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. “Think of the possibilities! Transportation! Exploration! Flying across the Pacific Ocean and seeing what's there.”
“Speaking of seeing,” Wilbur interjected, squinting at the horizon, “the sun is absolutely brutal out here.”
Orville paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “You’re right, Wilbur. Remember how I had you block the sun during the flight? That gave me an idea…” He rummaged through a nearby crate, pulling out a pair of crude, leather-framed goggles. “These are alright for keeping debris out of our eyes, but they do nothing for the glare.”
He continued to rummage, pulling out scraps of tinted glass, pieces of wire, and various other odds and ends. “What if,” he began, his eyes gleaming with inspiration, “what if we could find something that would not only protect our eyes but also enhance our vision in bright light?”
Wilbur said. “Enhance our vision? How would that even be possible?”
Orville held up a piece of dark green glass. “By filtering out certain wavelengths of light. This green tint, for example, could reduce glare and improve contrast.” He then held up another piece of glass, this one a pale mint green. "And this one offers a different kind of filtration altogether, maybe better for hazy days."
Suddenly, a salesman, dressed in a surprisingly sharp suit despite the dusty surroundings, approached their makeshift hangar. He carried a small, polished wooden case. “Gentlemen,” he announced with a wide smile, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Silas, purveyor of fine optical instruments.”
He opened the case, revealing an array of stylish eyeglasses. “I specialize in eyewear designed for the discerning gentleman. And, dare I say, the pioneering aviator.” He held up a pair of striking sunglasses with polarized lenses housed in sleek, aviator-style mint green frames. The lenses were a distinctive mirrored pink with purple.
“These,” Silas proclaimed, “are my latest creation. Polarized Aviator Sunglasses, with a special coating. The polarization eliminates glare from reflective surfaces, like sand, water, or even…the wings of an aircraft. And the mirrored lenses offer exceptional clarity and contrast, even in the harshest sunlight.”
Orville’s eyes widened. “These…these are exactly what we need!” He took the sunglasses, examining them closely. The frames were lightweight yet sturdy, and the mint green aviator offered a surprisingly clear and vibrant view of the landscape. He put them on. The world seemed to sharpen, the glare from the sun instantly reduced.
Wilbur, intrigued, tried them on as well. “By Jove!” he exclaimed. “It’s like the sun has suddenly dimmed, but everything else is clearer! I can even see those pesky buzzards circling way off in the distance!”
“These are indeed remarkable,” Orville agreed, handing the sunglasses back to Silas. “How much do you want for them?”
Silas named a price. It was a hefty sum, but Orville, thinking of the potential applications for aviation and the future riches they would surely acquire, didn’t hesitate. He pulled out a wad of cash and paid the salesman.
“These,” Orville declared, putting the sunglasses back on, “are the future of flight! with a minty fresh twist!” He winked at Wilbur, who was still marveling at the clarity of his vision.
Wilbur grinned. With these new sunglasses, the world, and the sky, looked a whole lot brighter. He could finally enjoy the flying view without squinting.
