Green eyeshade

Green eyeshades are a type of visor that were worn most often from the late-19th century to the mid-20th century by accountants, telegraphers, copy editors and others engaged in vision-intensive, detail-oriented occupations to lessen eyestrain[1] due to early incandescent lights and candles, which tended to be harsh (the classic banker's lamp had a green shade for similar reasons).[2] Because they were often worn by people involved in accounting, auditing, economics, and budgeting, they became associated with these activities.[3]

Eyeshades

Green eyeshades were often made of a transparent dark green or blue-green colored celluloid, although leather and paper were used to make the visor portion as well. One manufacturer, the Featherweight Eyeshade Company, described their eyeshade as "healthful, color peculiarly restful to the eyes".[4] Green eyeshades are still on the market, typically sold as "dealer's visors". They retain a certain degree of popularity in the gambling community.[5]

Several individuals, including William Mahony, received patents for their eyeshade designs.[6] The phrase "green eye-shades" can be applied to individuals who are excessively concerned with financial matters or small and insignificant details and is used even as recently as 2013 in U.S. Budget Committee Hearings.[7][8]