Sunglasses History

Want to Know About Sunglasses?
Trevor Kassulke


There is something about a pair of sunglasses that makes them
arguably one of the most quintessential 'must-have' items of all
time. Not only are they immensely practical, offering protection
from the dangers of the sun, they are an enormously versatile
fashion accessory, available in a huge range of styles, colors
and prices to suit every pocket. Given their worldwide
popularity, sunglass manufacturing has become a very lucrative,
but highly competitive industry and while some manufacturers rise
and wane in the public affections, there is one company that
remains forever synonymous with the eyeglasses that protect our
eyes from the rays of the sun: Ray-Ban

Although Us President, Benjamin Franklin, is often credited with
inventing eyeglasses (he was the one who developed the first
bifocal lens in the 1780's), the first reading glasses were
developed in Italy, as early as 1260. People continued to be
fascinated by all things optical throughout the centuries that
followed, then, in the mid-eighteen hundreds British scientist
James Ayscough began to research tinted glass, and the
possibility that such technology may be used to improve vision
impaired eyesight. As successful as he was, it was not until 1929
that the idea that glasses could filter the sun's rays was given
any serious consideration. At that time, U.S. optical company,
Foster Grant, began to develop the idea further, until finally,
later that same year, the first ever pair of sunglasses were sold
from a Woolworth's store on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Recognizing that the new technology could be beneficial to their
pilots, the U.S. Army Air Corps asked another prominent American
company, Bausch & Lomb, to develop eyeglasses that would protect
the eyes from the dangers of the glaring sun, when flying.

It was U.S. eyeglass company, Ray-Ban, who really ran with the
concept. In 1936, using the newly available polarized lenses, and
a wide frame that offered maximum protection from the sheen of an
instrument panel, Ray-Ban began to produce a lens that banned the
sun's rays. Some three years later, this model of sunglass so
popular with pilots, became readily available to the American
public. Ray-Ban 'aviators' were born.

As Americans came of age, so too did their eyewear. Throughout
the war years Ray-Ban continued its working partnership with the
Air Force, creating Gradient mirror lenses that managed to be
both highly practical and fashionable at the same time. There was
something about that American flyer in his tough brown leather
flight jacket, whose sunglasses hid his eyes. Ray-Ban had just
made sunglasses sexy.

Ubiquitous in the 1950's, sunglasses became more than just eye
protection. Worn by A-list celebrities in Vegas and Hollywood -
stars whose every move was scrutinized and emulated all over the
country- sunglasses became a fashion accessory, and Ray-Ban was
quick to accommodate the growing trend for new designs and
colorful frames, which they marketed to women in particular.

Keeping abreast of space-age technology, the company developed
shatterproof lenses in the 1960's and the popularity of
sunglasses continued to rise when fashion icon Jackie Kennedy was
often seen with her trademark, oversized frames. On the silver
screen, sunglasses were becoming an essential part of any actor's
costume, with movie stars like Peter Fonda and Audrey Hepburn,
playing stylish, sunglass-wearing, characters who were able to
hide their eyes from the audience and remain convincing.

Ray-Ban continued to develop new styles and designs in the 1970's
and 1980's: their 'Wings' model was indeed a forerunner to the
very modern, half-frame, lens of today. In the era of American TV
cop shows, like Starsky & Hutch, and Chips, the mirrored lenses
once so popular in the 1940's, began to reappear. Ray-Ban was
retro.

Stylish and modern, funky and retro, Ray-Ban remains at the
forefront of sunglass manufacturing to this day, no mean feat
when one considers the competition out there. Undoubtedly, the
company will continue to have staying power in the industry,
because throughout the decades it has evolved with the nation to
give people exactly what they want for their eyes: the reliable
protection of a hi-tech pair of sunglasses, and the serious
'cool' of a damn sexy pair of shades.

Trevor Kassulke writes articles on a number of disciplines. This
article is provided courtesy of http://glassesinfo.com
glassesinfo.com is an information resource for issues regarding
sight, including sunglasses, eyeglasses, reading glasses, contact
lenses, spectacles

Eye Care Sunglasses History