Green eyeshades are a type of visor that were worn most often from the late 19th century to the middle 20th century by accountants, telegraphers, copy editors and others engaged in vision-intensive, detail-oriented occupations to lessen eyestrain due to early incandescent lights, which tended to be harsh (the classic banker's lamp had a green shade for similar reasons). Because they were often worn by people involved in accounting, auditing, economics, and budgeting, they became associated with these activities. The phrase "green eye-shades" can be applied derogatorily to individuals who are excessively concerned with financial matters or small and insignificant details.
Green eyeshades were often made of a transparent dark green or blue-green colored plastic known as celluloid, although leather and paper were used to make the visor portion as well. One manufacturer, The Featherweight Eyeshade Company, described their eyeshade as "restful" to the eyes. Eyeshades were sold through office supply stores through the 1950s.
Several individuals, including one William Mahoney, received patents for their eyeshade designs. Author Carl Sandburg wore a green eyeshade, which 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. The gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson popularized the headgear 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 in the finance trade. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Data wore a green eyeshade when the senior officers played poker (green eyeshades are still on the market, typically sold as "dealer's visors". They retain a certain degree of popularity in the gambling community).
Famous quotes containing the word green:
“Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean; the world has grown grey from thy breath;
We have drunken of things Lethean; and fed on the fullness of death.
Laurel is green for a season, and love is sweet for a day;
But love grows bitter with treason, and laurel outlives not May.
Sleep, shall we sleep after all? for the world is not sweet in the
end;
For the old faiths loosen and fall, the new years ruin and rend.”
—A.C. (Algernon Charles)