OAKLEY HISTORY

1970s


In 1975 the Oakley was born. Jim Jannard, mad scientist and believer that everything could be made better created a motorcycle handgrip made from Unobtainium. Grip actually increased as the rider perspired. The name Oakley came from Jim’s dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events.

1980s

The perfect sphere of the O-Frame google lens meant it became a mainstay in Moto X for the next seventeen years. With the launch of the inspiring O-Frame goggle came the now iconic ‘O’ Oakley logo too. With the now iconic Oakley logo present on the strap, Oakley’s recognition and prominence in the sports world became huge. Stars championed the O Frame. It wasn’t long after, in 1983, that Oakley began selling ski goggles.

Jim went back to the lab with sunglasses on the mind. The first Oakley sunglasses, Factory Pilot Eyeshades, were sport-oriented, almost resembling goggles. Eyewear had gone from generic to a vital piece of equipment. These were followed by the Oakley Frogskin, a more casual style of sunglasses.

It was 1986 and cyclist Greg Lemond became the first athlete to approach Oakley for their eyeshades. He won the Tour de France that year too, becoming the first American to do so.

1990s


This was the start of a huge trend that saw wrap around frames with coloured lenses become ultra fashionable, and not just in the sports industry.  Oakley went public in 1995 and added Jim Stroesser from Nike as head of sales in 1999.

2000


The arrival of the millennium also represented the turn of Oakley becoming a global brand and becoming a household name. In 2004 Oakley signed a deal to manufacture Fox eyewear. In 2006 Oakley took over Oliver Peoples and in 2007 Italian eyewear giants Luxottica bought Oakley in a deal worth $2.1 billion.

Oakley’s team roster included the biggest names in performance sports including Shaun White, Ichiro Suzuki, Dorien Walker, Lance Armstrong, Ricky Carmichael, James "Bubba" Stewart and Gretchen Bleiler.

Today


During the preparations for the ultimately successful rescue of thirty-three miners trapped for ten weeks in a Chilean mine in October 2010, a journalist covering the story contacted Oakley about donating sunglasses to the rescue effort. He was aware that the miners would need eye protection after having spent so many weeks in darkness. Oakley donated thirty-five pairs of its Radar sports glasses, fitted with specially selected tints.

Decades of innovation have brought new product technology, and more than 600 patents worldwide to Oakley sunglasses. Today, Jannard’s brand has become the mark of excellence and the solution to challenges facing those who cannot compromise on performance.

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