Bubble hockey is a game that was all the rage in the ‘80s. You would see people wearing sunglasses, sitting in lounge chairs, and playing with what looked like giant ping pong balls. If you had that iconic ‘80s haircut, you were good to go!
The game involved a lot of table tennis and served as a precursor to today’s laser tag. Basically, players would duck, cover, and return volleys of imaginary icicles and snowflakes with their hands. The person with the most “balls” at the end won!
But let’s be real. While it was a very popular game in its day, bubble hockey is way too expensive to be considered a regular part of anyone’s game collection. What are the chances of you finding a pair of sunglasses that actually fit you? Not very good. And let’s not even discuss the cost of the equipment. Aside from the sport utility vehicle that you will need to buy just to play, the cost of owning a bubble hockey set can range from three to five figures.
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Limited Availability
In an effort to bring this classic ‘80s game back, many companies have worked to increase the availability of the equipment and accessories that you need to play. This has resulted in a smaller but more focused selection of styles and colors that are more in line with what you would normally see in a ‘90s lounge.
There are currently two ways that you can play bubble hockey. The first is with a classic black set of Boggle sunglasses and a white ping pong ball. The other is with a pair of blue sunglasses and a blue ping pong ball.
Design
Even the most diehard ‘80s fans would have to admit that the styling of the classic Boggle sunglasses wasn’t very good. The oversized lenses and the thick nosepieces made them far from fashionable. But when it comes to cost effectiveness, the thicker the better. This was certainly the case for the Boggle brand, which was actually owned by HP until 2013. The company continues to manufacture and sell sunglasses under the Boggle brand name even today.
To this day, not a lot has changed with the design of the classic Boggles. They are still manufactured in very limited quantities and their thick nosepieces, oversized lenses, and metal arms make them more expensive to replace than to purchase. When it comes to the classic Boggle, style and functionality trumped affordability every time. This was also the case with the HP-owned Boggle brand when compared to other optical companies such as Oakley and Saucony, which sell far more stylish sunglasses than the Boggle brand.
Technology
Thanks to a combination of factors including the rising popularity of TikTok and other social media platforms, more and more people are experiencing the joys of augmented reality (AR). This is a technology that brings the virtual world into the real one through the use of smartphones. It is often used for entertainment purposes such as gaming and watching videos but has also opened up a whole new world of possibilities for those who work in the medical fields.
One of the most well-known medical applications of AR is Snapchat’s Do Not Disturb feature. The AR component of this feature allows users to see virtual doctors and nurses who are available to provide guidance on various health issues. This feature has completely changed the healthcare industry by creating a whole new platform for healthcare providers to connect with patients.
It is important to note that the healthcare providers who use this platform must be highly skilled in the use of AR software as well as mobile healthcare software in general. This, coupled with rigorous training, makes it a very attractive career pathway for students who want to enter the healthcare industry.
Usage
Let’s face it, not a lot of people who played with the classic Boggle sunglasses actually used them for sport. This is because the lenses were usually too thick to allow for proper eye protection while playing the game. Not only that, but when the game became popular, many people started wearing their sunglasses as fashion accessories instead of using them for sport. They would put them on their heads when they went to clubs and restaurants and take them off when they went for a stroll through the park. This resulted in a huge chunk of the market being left untapped.
And then there was slap bracelets. The original Boggle were designed with an oversized ‘70s silhouette and large metal arms. These were worn by slaps (slap-happy dance enthusiasts) and became a fashion accessory as well as a way to keep track of who was hitting who during a dance battle.
Once again, usage dwindled the classic Boggle’s market share. These days, you will mostly see people wearing the classic Boggle when they go for a walk, drive, or catch a movie. While the lenses may not be built for the purpose of protecting the eyes from sandstorms or grit, at least they can prevent glare.
Durability
Just like your smartphone, your passion for playing sports and games will eventually lead to dust and scratches all over the surface. This will eventually mar the aesthetics of your favorite pair of sunglasses and bring them closer to the end of their lifespan. It is, therefore, paramount that you purchase lenses and frames that are built to last so that even after many workouts and late nights out, you can still wear them without frustration.
Most people who play with the classic Boggle are either optometrists or ophthalmologists. These specialties require extensive knowledge of optics and vision science including the evaluation of eyesight, eye pathology, and the design and manufacturing of spectacles and contact lenses. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists also work as sports opticians, designing, dispensing, and adjusting eye wear for specific athletic activities.
So while the lenses of the original Boggle may not protect the eyes from the wind or water, they can at least protect the wearer from the sun’s harsh rays. This added layer of protection makes the classic Boggle more durable than most other sunglasses. Nowadays, not a lot of manufacturers put as much effort into the design and construction of their products as the HP-owned Boggle brand does.