Ray-Ban got its start in 1937, supplying pilots from the U.S. Air Force with the original aviator sunglasses: a patented anti-glare style that would fix the headaches and impaired vision that plagued high-altitude fighter pilots. Continued innovations like gradient and detail-sharpening Kalichrome lenses, conceived for hunters and the military but increasingly popular with citizens, heralded Ray-Ban’s transition into mainstream fashion with the iconic Wayfarer sunglasses, first introduced in 1952. Dedicated women’s collections emerged in 1968, and the brand continues to offer new eyewear options optimized for both fashion and function.