Ray-Ban

Founded in 1937 by Bausch & Lomb, Ray-Ban is a popular American eyewear brand. With a tradition spanning almost a century, it is best known for its Aviator and Wayfarer sunglasses. The story of the Ray-Ban aviators begins back in the 1920s, when Lieutenant General John MacCready asked Bausch & Lomb to produce a pair of frames especially for the pilots who were susceptible to headaches caused by the glare of the sun. The resulting style was named “Ray-Ban Aviator” and its patent was released in 1937. In 1952, Ray-Ban introduces the Wayfarer. With plastic frames and a timeless, universally-flattering silhouette, the Wayfarers quickly became popular in Hollywood. They were worn by many stars of the time, including James Dean, Kim Novak, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and even John F. Kennedy. Ray-Ban continued to gain popularity and was featured in movies such as Risky Business (1983), Top Gun (1986) and Men in Black (1997). The brand continued to launch new styles and started to focus on appearing more relevant to the younger generations.