For aviation the 1920s was a decade of remarkable advances. But with the development of new aeroplanes that could fly higher and higher came altitude-related problems. Pilots were suffering from headaches and nausea because of high level glare. In 1929, the US army asked Ray-Ban for a new type of eyewear that would protect pilots from glare at high altitudes. The company succeeded and the Ray-Ban anti-glare eyewear was born. The first model went on sale to the public in 1936, a plastic frame with the classic Aviator shape, and has since remained as a world wide fashion staple.
During the early years, the functional aspect of the new eyewear was pushed to the foreground, targeting sports enthusiasts and lovers of the outdoors. Before later being conceived as a fashion accessory, because of sunglasses being used in the film industry. Easy to wear with a simple design, sunglasses were no longer just an object of practicality.
In 1953 in wake of the wayfarer, Ray-Ban developed a new type of lens technology. It was called G-15, a light grey lens that transmits 15 percent of all visible light for equal colour, and pushed technology to the forefront.
Ray-Ban has offered technologically advanced sunwear to protect our eyes from the sun for more than 70 years, but today's modern advancements enable them to do even more. Not content with making its mark as the global leader in premium eyewear, the brand now makes history in other ways.
To solidify their reputation as the pioneer of lenses the company has launched Ray-Ban 8041, home to the world's first ever gradient polarised lens. Up to 50 percent lighter than those made from metal or steel, the titanium aviator is as strong as it is light. Made to withstand years of wear, the 8041 has an incredible resistance to weight ratio and provides longer lasting durability.
Timelessness and originality are the definitive of the 8041and the original aviator. Both with teardrop shaped lenses placed inside a metal wire frame, and a Ray-Ban signature logo on a single lens and adjustable silicone nose pads.
Sales of the Ray-Ban aviator increased by up to 40 percent after Tom Cruise immortalised the design in the American film Top Gun in 1986. Tom Cruise may not be reprising his role as Maverick for Top Gun II, but this Top Gun remake is still sure to be a hit with fashion fans and movie goers.