Celluloid Wind

Old Fashioned Sunglasses

By the 1930′s, celluloid comb manufacturer Foster Grant was suffering from lost sales due to the popularity of short flapper haircuts. The company turned their attention to producing celluloid framed sunglasses, and regained their market while inventing a popular new trend.

General MacArthur’s 1940′s military aviator flying glasses, with their masculine metal frames and dark tinted lenses became a popular style that has been emulated and used as inspiration for spinoff designs to this day. Elvis Presley was seen wearing a pair with gradient tinted lenses, his famous initials emblazoned upon the bridge piece.

Optical designer Raymond Stegeman created the classic RayBan sunglasses in 1952. Their trapezoidal shape has become an American classic. Cat’s-eye glasses caught the attention of Hollywood and the rest of America in the 1950′s when Marilyn Monroe sported them. Fans couldn’t wait to wear their idols rhinestone-encrusted feline style.

Teashades entered our consciousness in the 1960′s when John Lennon immortalized them. The groovy, round, tinted-lens & wire-framed style has become a staple in the fashion world. See them today shading the stellar eyes of Ozzy Osbourne and Johnny Depp.

In the 1970′s, photochromatic lenses fascinated wearers with their ability to intelligently darken when exposed to sunlight. Founded in 1975, a pet English Setter was the inspiration for James Jannard’s “Oakley” eyewear. Jannard designed functional and appealing wraparound styles that shielded wearers’ eyes from the sun, rain and wind.

Whether functional or fun, sunglasses have become a fashion “must-have” accessory.  Whether functional or fun, sunglasses have become a fashion “must-have” accessory.

About the Author

vintage glasses, tortoise eye glasses frames

Clown and Donkey Vintage celluloid wind-up toy made in Japan in 1940s-50s

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