What is the most important invention of all time? Is it the written word that helps us to record information? Is it the telephone that lets us talk to people _________ all over the world? Is it the car that lets us travel at great speeds to meet _________? Umberto Eco, an Italian writer, thinks it is something quite different. He says the most important invention might be right in front of your _________. He is talking about a simple pair of glasses.

Modern eye glasses were _________ about 1,000 years ago. They were more than just a convenient way _________. Before glasses, writers, scientists or teachers _________ could not see properly had to memorize everything. After about ten years of poor eyesight, they could not remember well enough _________ could not work. Glasses meant that people could work into their old _________. People who wanted to remember some information could _________ and read it. Eye glasses are one of the world's greatest inventions and were probably _________ by the people who designed the first telephones and cars.