Aviator sunglasses
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aviator sunglasses are a type of sunglasses that were developed by Ray Ban in 1937. The need arose for this style of sunglasses because military pilots found that sun and glare protection would be helpful to aid them during day missions and dogfights. They are characterized by a metal frame and dark, reflective lenses having an area twice or three times the area of the eye socket. Contemporary models are often polarized.
The large lenses are not straight as in eyeglasses but bulge out slightly. The design attempts to cover the entire range of the eye and prevent as much light as possible from entering the eye socket from any angle. While still popular with military and civilian aviators alike, the sunglasses work quite well (and are usually seen as fashionable) and have been taken up by the non-flying civilian population. Law enforcement officers have also taken a liking to the glasses for many reasons, including their excellent cancellation of glare and prevention of eye contact.
Recently, these glasses have become increasingly popular among young people who enjoy them for their visual appeal rather than their practical use. This trend started out within the skateboard community which it then transcended to other peaks of pop culture. They also have become associated with Rock and metal music because a large number of rock musicians have worn them.
