The Monocle is a round lens often consisting of a metal wire that served to attach a string. Although it was made popular by such notable figures such as Mr.Peanut and Mr. Penguin, it was also worn among rich aristocrats, nazi soldiers, and 19th century lesbians. It was a powerful symbol of wealth, power, and intellect.

It was huge, and then it died.

The Monocle comes in several styles. The first was simply a metal loop with a lens. They were the first monocles to be worn in England in the 1830s. The second style, developed in 1890s, had a frame with a raised edge known as the gallery. See, a lot of people were knocking their eyelashes on the glass so the gallery would secure the monocle in place by raising it slightly. This was a premium feature, and if you were Duke Of Wellington rich you'd have it custom-made to fit your own eye sockets.

You'd think a piece of glass squished next to your eye would be annoying to wear, but it wasn't if you were a 19th century baller. If you could afford the custom-made edition, you were set. If you were poor, you probably had a backwards lean to your walk from having to keep your eye piece on. Although, if you were poor at the time, you probably had bigger problems.

So who killed it?

Suspect #1: Optometry

Advances in optometry suddenly allowed glasses to be prescribed with different strengths in each eye. The whole point of the monocle was to be able to see clearly from one eye. Once glasses were able to do so, there was no more practical value. You suddenly became that asshole who looked like he swam in railroad money.

Suspect #2: The Industrious A-Hole Look

Looking like money when your fellow man and kids were slaving 14 hour shifts in mines, was slightly upsetting. The aristocrats had limits, it seems.

Suspect #3: The Govn't Said No

Britain's National Health Service would refuse to fund prescriptions for monocles, even when optometrists where recommending it. They couldn't see the value in it. Get it? Ha ha, alright.
And today