Ray-Ban: 90 Years — From Pilots' Glasses to Pop Culture

1937: Born for the sky

In the early 1930s, US Air Force pilots suffered from the blinding light at high altitudes. Bausch & Lomb designed a lightweight frame with green lenses that cut the glare — the Aviator. In 1937 it went on sale to the public under the name Ray-Ban, from “ban the rays.”

1952: The Wayfarer changes everything

The Wayfarer introduced something radical: a frame made of acetate instead of metal, with a bold trapezoidal shape. It instantly became a favourite of intellectuals, musicians and film stars — and it remains one of the most recognisable eyewear shapes in the world.

Few products have been tied as closely to cinema as the Wayfarer and the Aviator.

The iconic journey

• 1937 Launch of the Aviator — the first Ray-Ban.
• 1952 The Wayfarer is born, a symbol of pop culture.
• 1961 Aviator & Wayfarer hit Hollywood; appearances in countless films.
• 1980s A revival driven by cinema and music — sales skyrocket.
• 1986 The Clubmaster is introduced, inspired by the browline style of the '50s.
• 1999 Bausch & Lomb sells Ray-Ban to Italy's Luxottica.
• 2020s The digital era: collaborations & smart glasses, with the classic DNA intact.

From the battlefield to the big screen

Few products have been tied as closely to cinema. The Wayfarer and the Aviator appeared in iconic films and became synonymous with “cool,” passing from generation to generation. It is this cultural presence — not just the technology — that made Ray-Ban a legend.

Today

Under EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban combines its historic design with modern lenses and materials. The three foundational shapes — Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster — remain at the heart of the collection.