Legacy of the 1930s
where it all began
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1936Bausch & Lomb begins developing anti-glare eyewear for US Army Air Corps pilots.
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1937The first Ray-Ban Aviator is released to the public.
The Spark of Innovation
In the mid-1930s, advances in aviation meant pilots were flying higher and farther than ever – but they faced a serious problem: intense sunlight at high altitudes was causing headaches and nausea. In 1929, U.S. Army Air Corps Colonel John A. Macready partnered with Bausch & Lomb (a New York optical firm) to develop special sunglasses for pilots that would reduce the blinding glare . After years of R&D, the company introduced a prototype in 1936 called “Anti-Glare” glasses: they featured green-tinted crystal lenses in lightweight plastic frames, filtering out harsh blue and white light without distorting vision.
By 1937, this innovation was refined with a sturdier metal frame and patented under a new name – the Ray-Ban Aviator, so-called because it “banned” incoming sun rays for aviators . These early Aviators used Kalichrome green lenses designed to sharpen detail and cut haze, perfect for clarity in the sky. Bausch & Lomb also added impact-resistant lens technology in 1938 to make them more durable for military use . The result was a functional but sleek teardrop-shaped design that hugged the face, covering eyes from every angle – a now-classic silhouette born purely from utility.
Ray-Ban wasted no time expanding on the Aviator’s success. In 1938, B&L released the Ray-Ban Shooter, a special model geared toward hunters and marksmen. The Shooter introduced yellow-tinted lenses (to enhance contrast in hazy conditions) and a distinctive “cigarette holder” circular gap in the center, supposedly so a shooter could hold a cigarette hands-free . Then in 1939 came the Ray-Ban Outdoorsman (originally marketed as “Skeet Glasses”), designed for fishing and hunting enthusiasts. The Outdoorsman added a leather-covered top bar (a “sweat bar”) to catch perspiration and included distinctive temple end covers, setting it apart from standard Aviators . These early product innovations show how, even in its first decade, Ray-Ban was blending technology with user-specific design – catering not just to pilots but to anyone with an outdoor lifestyle.
From Utility to Style
Although Ray-Ban’s aviator shades were invented for pilots, they didn’t stay in the cockpit for long. The Aviator quickly caught the public’s eye as a symbol of adventure and modernity. In the late 1930s, high-ranking military officers and stylish civilians alike began sporting the mirrored sunglasses, drawn by the allure of the daring “Top Gun” pilot image . Ray-Ban’s early marketing played into this prestige: a 1938 advertisement proclaimed “Champions and Leaders wear Ray-Ban Anti-Glare”, linking the product with heroism and elite status . By positioning the sunglasses as gear for “champions” (not just utilitarian eyewear), the brand planted the seed of its cool factor even in this nascent stage.
Even before Hollywood had a chance to chime in, real-world icons were elevating Ray-Ban’s profile. Notably, U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur helped immortalise the Aviator look during World War II. In 1944, as MacArthur landed in the Philippines during a critical campaign, press photos captured him wading ashore wearing his Aviator sunglasses and a corncob pipe clenched in his teeth. That single image was splashed across newspapers and became an indelible piece of WWII iconography. It also gave Ray-Ban a priceless publicity boost – MacArthur’s bold, determined look behind those shades made Americans at home want to don the same glasses as their heroes . By the end of the 1930s, thanks to such associations, a pair of Ray-Ban “sun glasses” was no longer just functional outdoor gear; it was a coveted accessory imbued with the glamour of aviation and the grit of military valor.
The Original Sell: Function Meets Form
1937: Bausch & Lomb launched Ray-Ban as an “Anti-Glare” aviator goggle for U.S. Army Air Corps pilots. The Ray-Ban trademark was registered and the first Ray-Ban advertisements appeared that year . Early marketing centered on the Aviator sunglasses’ military origin and practical benefits—reducing blinding sun glare for pilots—while introducing a touch of style. Print ads in aviation magazines and newspapers highlighted the new Ray-Ban Aviator name (adopted instead of the generic “anti-glare” label) and positioned the glasses as cutting-edge gear for heroes of the sky . This creative direction established Ray-Ban’s aspirational tone, associating wearers with daring pilots and adventure.
1938: Ray-Ban expanded its lineup with the Ray-Ban Shooter, a variant tailored to sport shooters and hunters . Marketing for the Shooter emphasized its technical innovations: choice of green or yellow lenses to enhance detail by filtering specific light (useful in hazy conditions) and a distinctive “cigarette holder” circle on the bridge allowing hands-free use . Print advertisements and product catalogs targeted outdoorsmen, touting how the Shooter combined utility (glare reduction) with rugged style. The messaging highlighted the brand’s responsiveness to niche needs (marksmen and outdoor sports) while maintaining the Aviator’s cool factor.
1939: Building on the outdoors theme, Ray-Ban introduced the Outdoorsman (originally called “Skeet Glass”), aimed at fishing and hunting enthusiasts . This model’s marketing stressed its added features like leather-wrapped brow bars and temple tips for comfort and sweat absorption . Bausch & Lomb’s ads in the late 1930s often showed men in outdoor attire or military uniforms wearing Ray-Bans, reinforcing a premium, adventure-ready image. By the end of the decade, Ray-Ban had established a reputation not only for functional eyewear trusted by pilots and sportsmen, but also as a symbol of rugged American glamour that anyone could don to emulate those heroes .
Notable 1930s Sightings
General Douglas MacArthur (conceptual)
Though most famous for his WWII appearance in Ray-Bans, early prototypes may have circulated among high-ranking officers.
Early test pilots at Randolph Field
Photographic evidence suggests test aviators wore Ray-Ban prototypes during trial flights.
Reimagined Classics
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