Some time previously, Lieutenant General John McCready had taken a balloon flight. He then conceived the idea of a pair of dark glasses which would shade his eyes while letting him see what was around him. McCready was convinced that this type of eyewear would solve the problem of glare for the pilots. He approached B&L with a request to create sunglasses that could limit the glare without restricting the pilots’ vision. Bausch&Lomb, a manufacturer of medical-optical products, was originally commissioned by the US Air Force to develop aviator goggles. Quality, functionality, and design were adapted to the needs of the pilots, which led to the first “Aviator sunglasses” in 1937.
Most frames are made of nylon and propionate, a common plastic used in glasses thanks to the fact that it’s lightweight and durable and has hypoallergenic qualities. A number of Ray-Ban frames are made of acetate, which is pricier but offers a glossy look while being strong and scratch-resistant. Other materials include metal, titanium, carbon fiber, and even frames in premium materials like leather, wood, aluminum, and gold. The 15 refers to the 15% of light which is allowed through the lens. G-15 lenses offer the most natural vision, with lifelike colors and contrast. Ryan loves this pair for its classic shape, performance and bold color and style.
This iconic brand has carved itself a unique place in the world of eyewear and its sunglasses have graced the faces of many famous figures, both male and female, for decades. Over the years Ray-Ban has earned a reputation for superb design, excellent performance and an unmistakeable sophistication that has made it recognisable the world over. All old original Ray-Ban sunglasses have “B&L USA Bausch&Lomb” engraved in the frame as well as the legendary “B&L” engraving on the lenses. In addition, clubmaster the glass lenses of the old Ray-Ban Bausch&Lomb sunglasses are made of hardened mineral glass, which makes the entire model heavier and more valuable than the new reproductions. The difference between an old pair of USA Ray-Ban vintage sunglasses from Bausch&Lomb and a new pair of Luxottica Ray-Ban sunglasses from Italy is no longer known only to connoisseurs and collectors. Meanwhile, more and more glasses lovers are interested in the exciting history of the old Ray-Ban sunglasses.
In addition to devising new Ray-Ban models in the 70s, B&L were also breaking further new ground in lens design. A lens for mountaineers featured mirrored lenses, as well as leather side shields to cut out the wind, whilst the Ambermatic lens , was photosensitive, darkening and lightening in response to the strength of the light. It also gave fantastic definition to outlines and shadows, making it a fabulous choice for snow sports activities. After decades of producing its famous sunglasses, including the Wayfarer and Aviator brands, B&L make the decision to sell the eyewear division to the Luxottica company.
The Aviator, Clubmaster, and Wayfarer are all available with clear lenses in your prescription. In addition to these iconic styles, Ray-Ban has exclusive eyeglasses for women. Explore the playful color combinations of the RB7140 or the feminine cat-eye of the RB2185V Wayfarer II. If you want to wear a true conversation-starter, look no further than the RB6448 Hexagonal. With so many styles to love, we’ve curated a list of our favorite women’s Ray-Ban glasses. It’s also worth nothing that polarized lenses can help protect your peepers too, because they reduce glare brought on by reflection or horizontal light. These can be particularly helpful for driving, whether it’s snowing or super sunny outside.
Facebook has been able to fit an impressive amount into a frame just a few millimetres thicker and five grams heavier than a standard pair of Wayfarers. Each wing of the glasses hides a camera, which combine to shoot five megapixel still images and video of up to 30 seconds with a long or short tap of the device’s only button. So far, so similar to Snap’s Spectacles, but the Ray-Ban Stories also feature open-ear speakers to listen, and a “three-microphone audio array to deliver rich voice and sound transmission for calls and videos”. Those microphones also let the glasses be controlled by voice, for a hands-free experience.