Very few sunglass brands can say that they have played a significant role in history. Ray Ban, on the other hand, can make this claim and will always be in history books as a result. The optical firm Bausch & Lomb created the first pair of Ray Ban sunglasses in 1937 at the request of a professional hot air ballooner. After one of his extended trips, this ballooner complained that the sun had done damage to his eyes and that he needed a pair of sunglasses that would adequately protect him. Bausch & Lomb researchers went straight to work and developed the first pair of Aviators, a style that is still extremely popular today. The oversized, tear drop lens and thin metal frame is not only an attractive look, it also gives your eyes the ultimate protection.

The key to these new shades, however, was the fact that they integrated polarized technology. Not only did they give one full protection against the sun’s dangerous UV rays, the also eliminated vision-impairing glare. When the US Air Force heard about these glare-blocking glasses, their interest was piqued immediately. Soon, Ray Ban Aviators became the official protective eyewear of the US armed forces! The pilots were not the only members of the US military to adopt these new shades; other branches quickly purchased them as well. One of the most famous photographs from World War II is of General Douglas MacArthur landing on a beach in the Philippines wearing this style of Aviators. This picture appeared in every newspaper at home and it made Ray Ban gain instant popularity with civilians!

This sunglass company is dedicated to designing high quality sunglasses for both men and women. Many of their iconic designs are unisex, such as the Aviators and the Wayfarers. Both of these styles have also enjoyed long-lived popularity. Audrey Hepburn was on of the first movie stars to sport Wayfarers in a film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961). Playing Holly Golightly made Hepburn gain even more fame and these shades became a top seller immediately after the film came out. Tom Cruise revived Ray Ban popularity in the 1980s when he starred in “Risky Business.”

It is time that you owned a pair of shades that has such an illustrated place in both history books and pop culture.