# Back To The Future glasses

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 22, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620 "2022-10-22T01:06:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620/1 "2022-10-22T01:06:27Z")

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These are not real. Obviously, they’re metal and you can’t see through them.

> **[Doc Brown's future glasses from Back to the Future II. Description from...](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/526006431464050038/)**
>
> Jan 6, 2017 - Doc Brown's future glasses from Back to the Future II.

But I could swear I had a Back To The Future style sunglasses like Doc Brown wore, back in the '80s. I recall they were thin plastic, mirrored on the outside, and that you could see through them. I’m pretty sure I didn’t buy them, but got them free somewhere. I think they were worn like a headband, rather than with temples; but I’m not sure.

Does anyone remember actual ‘Doc Brown’ glasses from back in the day?

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**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620/2 "2022-10-22T01:17:27Z")

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I still have ‘em!

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**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620/3 "2022-10-22T01:18:47Z")

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I always wanted a functional pair, and never quite understood why an approximation wasn’t possible. Outdoor illumination with a clear sky is about 10,000 lux. Dim but usable indoor illumination is 100 lux. So you could get away with reflecting 99% of the light, which would look just as good as a mirror. Especially if it were sealed around the edges like goggles.

I’m not sure if the brushed metal effect would interfere, but I suspect it would either not be a problem or you could come up with a reasonable simulation.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620/4 "2022-10-22T01:51:13Z")

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> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#):
>
> I still have ‘em!

Got a pic?

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**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-future-glasses/973620/5 "2022-10-22T02:34:05Z")

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> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Got a pic?

Heck, I’ve just now made it my profile pic.