The history of sunglasses dated back to ancient China and Rome in 12th century or even earlier. In Rome, the Roman emperor, Nero enjoyed watching gladiator fights through polished gems. In China, sunglasses invention was used by judges to hide their facial expressions when they interrogated witnesses. They made sunglasses out of smoky quartz. These types of early sunglasses initially helped reduce glare.
The sunglasses history and the application for people’s benefit did not show major development until James Ayscough began experimenting spectacles with tinted lenses. The major purpose and issue in 18th century were basically about how to correct vision impairments which was nothing to do with protection from harmful UV rays. Then, in 1936 Edwin H. Land began testing his patented Polaroid filter for making polarized lenses. Therefore, polarized sunglasses history started making out improved progress. Around this time, even more Americans started buying sunglasses. Famous movie stars and artist musicians also began to wear sunglasses not only as a way to protect their eyes against sun glare, but also for a fashion statement. Wearing sunglasses became a trend of fashion when you could see people wearing them although it wasn’t sunny, yet they still wore sunglasses when they were indoors.
Later, in the early 1900s, the application of sunglasses had become more widespread for movie celebrities. Sunglasses were considered to protect human eyes from strong glare. In fact, for the movie stars – they use sunglasses to avoid recognition by fans when they are in public. Thus, sunglasses are classified as what you are wearing today as the enterprise from Sam Foster’s invention under the name of Foster Grant.
Recognizing that the new technology could be helpful to the pilots of the United States; the U.S. Army Air Corps asked a prominent American eye health provider, Bausch & Lomb to develop eyeglasses that could protect the aviator’s eyes from the sun glares when flying. So in 1936, Bausch & Lomb was officially appointed to design a pair of sunglasses that could provide anti-glare and symbolize a classic look for the pilots. From the previous inventions of polarized lenses, Bausch & Lomb designed a wide oversized frame lenses together with a thin metal frame for the arm bridge, that offered maximum protection to sun’s rays. In a year of 1937 i.e. during World War II, the Ray-Ban Aviator was created and became iconic to the public when the U.S General, Douglas MacArthur was spotted wearing it. Ray Bans were quickly seen outside of just the army. Aviator style sunglasses were among the favorite’s sunglasses collection by Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and many others.
In 1952, Ray Ban created another style that is Wayfarer Sunglasses by Ray Ban. The difference pattern from Aviator sunglasses was the plastic frames. The Wayfarer sunglasses were seen on movie stars, Hollywood celebrities, and a middle class. Yet, Ray-Ban remains a top designer in the sunglasses industry with their constant change in colors, frames, and lenses technology. Its classic and retro styles have made sunglasses collector to never get enough of the latest Ray-Ban sunglasses designs.
Following the big success of Ray Ban sunglasses in military productions as well as on the silver screen, the name of Ray-Ban was shot up to venture seriously in photography and eyeglass divisions. Throughout 1960s, celebrities on the silver screen were wearing sunglasses as a part of fashion accessories. Ray-Ban continued to develop new styles and designs in the 1970s and 1980s. Ray-Ban understood well how to penetrate American market by placing their Wayfarer sunglasses as well as aviator style eyeglasses in movies and TV shows. Here, when you watched the old time television series such as COPS, Starsky and Hutch where the mirrored lenses kind of Ray-Ban styles eyeglasses were worn.
There was more iconic Ray-Ban Wings was firstly introduced in the 80s and recently known for the Ray-Ban Craft collection. Ray-Ban Wings was designed since 1980s had improved versions over the years which made Ray-Ban sunglasses as serious, so cool plus damn sexy pair of shades. Its design was so strong, made of genuine deer leather which had futuristic characters such as gradient mirrored lenses as well as arista metal frame. Other Ray-Ban genuine leather collections include Ray-Ban Caravan and Ray-Ban Outdoorsman.
Stylish and modern while stays funky and retro, Ray-Ban remains at the forefront of sunglass manufacturing to this day. Undoubtedly, the company will continue to have staying power in the eyeglass maker industry, because throughout the decades it has evolved with the nation to give people exactly what they want for their eyes.
