Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban is a brand of American high end sunglasses

Founded in 1937 by Bausch and Lomb

They were originally made for the United States Army Air Corps

Then in 1999 Bausch and Lomb sold the brand to Italian Luxottica for $640 million

They were first created in 1936, but the idea of Ray Bans came earlier.  After going on a ballon flying trip Lieutenant John A. Macready was complaining about how it bothered him when the sun was shining in his eyes.  He thought that his eyes were going to be permanently damaged from the suns harmful rays.  He contacted Bausch and Lomb because he wanted them to create sunglasses that were going to protect his eyes from the sun but still look attractive. The first prototype was patented on May 7, 1937.  This prototype was known as the Anti-Glare, it had a ver light frame weighing only 150 grams.  They had green lenses that were made out of mineral glass that was meant to filter out infrared and ultraviolet rays, and the frames were made of gold plated metal.  Ray-Ban Aviators became a popular style when General Douglas MacArthur landed on the beach in the Philippines during World War I where many pictures were taken.