Ray Ban Bausch & Lomb Vintage Sunglasses

In 1936 Lieutenant John A. Macready asked the american company Bausch and Lomb (B&L) to create sunglasses that look sophisticated and would also protect his eyes from the sun, because after a ballon flight the sun had permanently damaged his eyes. So B&L created the first Ray Ban Aviator and a legend was born.

In the 1950ies the legendary Wayfarer model was released. And since then Ray Ban started its way to become the most sold eyewear brand in the world.

In 1999 the "Luxottica" group bought Ray Ban from Bausch and Lomb for a reported 1 Billion Dollars. Vintage Ray Bans are easily recognizeable, since they are made of a thicker and heavier acetate and are labeled "B&L made in USA".

Many celebrities, like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, the Blues Brothers, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and John F. Kennedy used Ray Ban sunglasses and glasses and contributed to the extraordinary success of Ray Ban.

My favourite is Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" wearing Ray Ban B&L 2140 Wayfarer sunglasses.