Ray Ban is a brand of sunglasses that have been available since the late 1930‘s. Ray Ban was originally founded by the company Baush & Lomb. Ray Ban is well known for selling Aviator type sunglasses which have become extremely popular and have been in demand for many years. Ray Ban certainly has a long and colorful history. In later years, Ray Ban sunglasses gained considerable popularity when Hollywood personalities began to endorse the product.
Ray Ban’s Aviator sunglasses became popular back in the late 30‘s when flying by plane became a new and popular means of travel. Many aviators while flying noticed that the glare from the suns reflection made it quite difficult to see much of anything while flying high above the clouds.
Many pilots and aviators experienced severe and chronic headaches as well as nausea due to the powerful glare and rays from the sun. This made it extremely difficult and dangerous to fly a plane under these conditions. The glare from the sun actually became a hazard in many regards.
The first Anti-glare sunglasses were marketed in the late 1930‘s. The sunglasses were extremely popular and the company had no problem selling these sunglasses at all. The Anti-glare sunglasses had plastic frames and green lenses. The green lenses resisted glare and kept the sun out of the eyes.
Eventually the Aviator sunglasses improved and metal frames soon replaced the original plastic frames. By the 1940’s a new brand of sunglasses were introduced called the “Outdoorsman” These sunglasses were specifically designed for those spending a great deal of time outdoors. Sunglasses of this kind came in handy for hunters and shooters. The sunglasses had a unique feature. The sunglasses had an added feature which would catch sweat and prevent it from entering the eye.
Eventually the Gradient lenses were introduced which provided even more eye protection. Gradient lenses were actually mirrored lenses with a special protective coating on the upper part of the lens.
By the 1950’s sunglasses became even more modern and it seemed new and improved protective features were continually being added. The Ray Ban Wayfarer was soon born and was also an instant hit with consumers. The Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses were designed with sturdy plastic frames. Actually, actor James Dean displayed several pairs of these sunglasses in some of his movies as well as in public. When celebrities endorse or use a product or service sales normally increase to a significant degree.
In the 1960’s the Olympian line of sunglasses were introduced into the market. Again many actors in fact wore the Olympian style sunglasses. Peter Fonda wore these sunglasses in at least one of his movies which in turn further boosted sales and production of the Olympian line.
For the next twenty years the Olympian style of sunglasses remained as popular as ever. In the 1980‘s Olympian style sunglasses were worn by stars in movies such as Top Gun and Risky Business.
Ray Ban began to struggle a bit in the 1990’s. Due to other competition as well as changing styles and tastes Ray Ban’s sales began to suffer. Ray Ban was eventually sold to an Italian based eye wear company for an amount that is believed to be within the hundred millions.