Aviator glasses: the history of the iconic brand

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Throughout its 76-year history, aviator glasses (or, as they are also called, “droplets”) have always had a huge impact on secular fashion. They have a legendary place in American culture and will never go out of style.

For James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Michael Jackson and many other icons of cinema and show business, they were indispensable and continue to be so for those who want to definitely be noticed. From presidents to movie stars, from popular rock artists to fashion designers, there is no one who doesn't (or doesn't) have this iconic accessory.

Aviator glasses are often associated with the Hollywood lifestyle. Their history began more modestly, but the main thing is that they were created for slightly different purposes. The largest company producing goods useful for the eyes, Bausch & Lomb developed and launched the first “droplets” under the brand"Ray-Ban" (from "sun rays" (Ray) and "block" (Ban)) for the US Army Air Corps, especially to protect the eyes of pilots from the sun's rays. To a large extent, their idea belonged to Lieutenant John McCready.

In 1920, he returned from an expedition in a balloon and complained that the sun's rays had caused irreparable damage to his eyes. He contacted Bausch & Lomb and asked them to create sunglasses that would provide full UV protection but be elegant and comfortable. Those appeared in 1936 and were immediately accepted by the pilots. A year later, the company received a patent for the Ray-Ban model, already created for the commercial market. However, the term "aviator glasses" has become synonymous with them. Today, they describe models that resemble the original design in shape. The design included "non-reflective" lenses (made of green mineral glass that can filter infrared and ultraviolet rays) and a metal frame weighing no more than 150 The lens, twice the size of the eyeball, did not allow light to enter its area at any angle.

During World War II, American pilots continued to rely on aviator sunglasses. And scientific research led to such innovations as gradient lenses (with a special mirror coating on the top and without it on the bottom, which made it possible to clearly see the panel in the aircraft). Originally developed specifically for military use, the products have become very popular withcivilian population. The military influence of that period on fashion cannot be denied. So, army, navy T-shirts were considered one of the staples of the style of the 1940s. People, trying to imitate the military, wore aviator glasses with great chic. Men's accessories decisively took over the world of mass culture. Ironically, "droplets" are very fond of women. Indeed, the sleek, shiny design is perfect for any face shape.

After the end of the war, Hollywood began to have an increasing influence on fashion. In the years that followed, many Ray-Ban styles appeared, some with new optical effects. In 1978, Bausch & Lomb presented a model with light-sensitive photochromatic lenses, "chameleons" (they darken depending on changes in temperature and light conditions, from yellow to brown). However, none of them was as wildly popular as the Ray-Ban Wayfarer (with a hard plastic frame). The model was designed by B&L optician Raymond Stegeman and introduced to the market in 1952. At that time, its design was a real revolutionary breakthrough. As soon as this accessory was seen on the screen, it instantly became the most recognizable.

Aviator glasses were worn by James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), later by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). Throughout the 50s and 60s, they became the choice of so many - Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Roy Orbison, John Lennon and, of course, all those who just wanted to look stylish.