Scott Urban of Humboldt Park makes reflective eyewear that can thwart group photos, selfies and paparazzi, he said. View Full Caption Reflectacles

HUMBOLDT PARK — Scott Urban's new product could appeal to night cyclists and privacy-minded people alike: a line of reflective eyewear, dubbed Reflectacles.

Urban, who creates wooden glasses out of his studio in Humboldt Park under the brand Urban Spectacles, says the product is the first of its kind.

Using reflective material, the glasses ($95-$125) bounce light back to the direction it came from, creating an intense glare, which makes it easier for cyclists and joggers to be seen on the road, particularly at night when visibility is low.

The glare also is intended to prevent surveillance cameras that use infrared technology from capturing facial features. It's a concept that has "really touched a nerve" with folks who are concerned about the "growing surveillance state," Urban said.

Edward Snowden, who is responsible for leaking classified National Security Agency documents, even shared a Reflectacles link on Twitter.

"There are a lot of people doing things that are anti-surveillance. With Snowden leaks, WikiLeaks, people are starting to realize that everything I do is being watched," Urban said.

Urban came up with the idea for Reflectacles about two years ago when a longtime customer requested reflective eyewear. Excited about the possibilities, Urban decided to create an entire collection. He launched a crowdfunding campaign, which ended up surpassing its goal of $28,000 and raising more than $30,000. The campaign ends Dec. 30.

"I like to create something new that's never been done before. When I started with wood, there was nobody doing wood. It gave me something to throw myself into," he said.

Over the last 10 years, Urban has made custom wooden glasses for everyone from star chef Graham Elliot to comedian Reggie Watts. Before launching his eyewear business, Urban worked in the art world at Architectural Artifacts and Bridge Art Fair and in construction as a house framer.

Launching Reflectacles was a natural choice, given Urban's philosophy about eyewear — and life.

"Eyeglasses right now are all focused on putting a camera or hooking up to smartphone. This is so completely old technology, but it works better than anything else out there," Urban said. "Just like when I was doing my wooden frames, I was turning back the clock. This does that, too."



Scott Urban runs his business out of his studio in Humboldt Park. [DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]

The 35-year-old said he's a private person who isn't interested in technology. (He still uses a flip phone and doesn't like when people take his picture.) In addition to protection against surveillance cameras and providing better visibility, the eyewear can be used to thwart group photos, selfies or paparazzi, Urban said.

Urban is gearing up to make hundreds of pairs of Reflectacles in his Humboldt Park studio for all of his campaign backers. He expects to continue selling the eyewear online and not in retail stores.

Those who haven't backed the Kickstarter campaign can order a pair by visiting Urban's website.

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