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The Boardwalk > Sunglasses The Complete Aviator Sunglasses Guide: What to Know Before Buying a Pair March 27, 2020 by Team Brdwlk Everything you've ever wanted to know about aviator sunglasses The Brdwlk participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates. If you purchase after clicking through a relevant link, we may earn a commission. What are Aviator Sunglasses? Aviator sunglasses are a style of sunglasses distinguished by their large teardrop-shaped lens. They originated in 1936 after being developed by Bausch and Lomb so that military pilots could protect their eyes while flying. The large lens is essentially a practical way to block the sun from all angles—something that is crucial while flying. Since the 1930s, aviators have evolved into one of the most popular styles of sunglasses. While classic versions are still popular, there are a million different takes on the design that make aviators one of the most adaptable types of sunglasses out there.

A Brief History

Classic aviators have a thin metal frame. They generally come in silver or gold with dark lenses. You can buy these from brands like Ray-Ban, or Randolph Engineering. You also don’t have to look far to find cheaper models on the high street.

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Plastic or acetate frame aviators have the same shape as classic aviators but use a plastic frame. The plastic is thicker than the metal which means they are typically more oversized than even classic aviators.

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Square-lens aviators similar to regular aviators but have a slightly squared-off design. The squarer they get, the less aviator-like they are.

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Top-bar aviators are those with a thick bar running across the top part of the lenses. This bar is often metal, although can be wood, plastic, or another material to make them a bit different.

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In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about aviator glasses: the history behind them, who’s worn them, who should wear them, who makes them, available styles and more.

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The beginnings of aviator glasses, as the name suggests, are tied to pioneering advancements of aviation. In the early 1900s, in the wake of World War I, daring test pilots began to fly ever higher and faster into the sky.

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As speed and altitude records were being broken, new problems arose: Many pilots were reporting that the glare from the sun was causing them to experience headaches and nausea. In an effort to defend themselves against the blinding sunlight and temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, they sought to protect their eyes with fur-lined goggles.

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Amazingly, Schroeder managed to safely land his plane. When U.S. Army Air Corps Lieutenant John Macready pulled him out of the cockpit, he was shocked to see Schroeder’s badly swollen and bloodshot eyes.

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Haunted by this image, Macready decided that something needed to be done to protect pilots’ eyes from the harshness of the elements high above the clouds. He partnered with medical equipment manufacturer Bausch & Lomb to develop special aviation goggles