Ray Ban: Everything You Need to Know About The History of the Number One Eyewear Brand

The history of sunglasses has ancient roots: first the Inuit, then the ancient Romans, passing through China… However, it is only in the 30’s that sunglasses, start gaining space in everyday life, begin to be seen no longer as something necessary, but as a real fashion accessory.

In fact, the first to wear them were the stars of cinema and music. There are many models that have made history. Just think of the tea-shades worn by John Lennon, in vogue in the late 60’s; the butterfly frames made famous by the iconic Marilyn Monroe; or even, the Manhattan model worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s…

But, if there is one brand that has succeeded in all these years to characterize the faces of the stars in a decisive way, this is Ray Ban. Let’s go over some of the Italian brand’s milestones together!

Ray Ban Aviator

It was 1937 when Bausch & Lomb founded Ray Ban, initially intended exclusively for the United States Army Air Corps pilots, who needed lenses to protect their eyes from the bright sunlight. These early models were presented with a very light frame and green lenses able to protect against UV rays. This is when Ray-Ban Aviator 3025, with the classic drip lenses, comes to life.

In the photo below, General Douglas MacArthur wears a pair of Ray Ban Aviators.

The final boost to the brand came in 1986 with the release of the film Top Gun. Tom Cruise, as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, while flying over the Indian Ocean, was wearing the Aviator sunglasses.

Wayfarer

But let’s take a step into the past and go back to 1952. In this year a new model is launched on the market, this time made of plastic: the Ray Ban Wayfarer. In a jiffy, these sunglasses became famous thanks to the “advertising” of the great Hollywood celebrities, first of all James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, up to the 80s with The Blues Brothers.

Clubmaster

After the launch on the market of new models, both for men, like Ray Ban Meteor, and for women, like Ray Ban Laramie, cat-eye shaped, we arrive at the ’90s. Denzel Washington in Malcolm X wears the Clubmaster black glasses, to date one of the most famous models of the Italian brand.

Ray Ban Shooter and Outdoorsman

The models released by Ray Ban are many, but without a doubt the most iconic sunglasses are the Aviator. The latter over the years has known some variations, such as the one worn by John Goodman in The Big Lebowsky, characterized by yellow lenses. Actually, these seem to be a perfect mix between rb Shooter, without the classic round hole, and Ray Ban Outdoorsman.

Ray Ban has come a long way and he’s still one of the most popular brands in the world. Elegance, style, evergreen models that still remain incredibly fashionable… Discover all new Ray Ban sunglasses 2022 on our website LookerOnline.

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