Magnifying glass as an accessory for observing sins

In the 18th century, a magnifying glass was a mandatory accessory for dandies and noble ladies to assess the quality of jewelry and antiques. It was a tool of hedonism that allowed one to examine details of the world inaccessible to the common person.

Now, the magnifying glass has migrated to desks as a symbol of an analytical approach and "detailed investigation." The irony is that an object created for enjoying beauty has become associated with nitpicking errors in documents.

#history #objects #paradoxes