American Optical

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American Optical Categories
- American Optical Prescription Sunglasses(3)
- American Optical Sunglasses(17)

With their astounding optical quality, we are pleased to announce your primary source of American Optical products such as their American Optical Flight Gear including famous American Optical Original Pilot and American Optical General sunglasses styles, and American Optical prescription sunglasses fitted with Rx lenses. We offer the most competitive pricing on all AO products. All of our american optical products are on sale and you will be provided with free shipping for all orders exceeding $29.95. We typically ship your American Optical Sunglasses next day so you can expect your order at your door on time. Please note that processing time for American Optical Rx sunglasses is 2-3 weeks as we need some extra time to prepare custom-made lenses grounded to your prescription. Our eyewear experts are professionals who are always ready to help, offer advice, or explain any of the ao products. Take a look at what people who have used american optics products are writing. Check out our american optical glasses reviews. We offer a broad selection of american optical products, generous pricing, helpful customer service, and knowledgeable product expertise. We make shopping at OpticsPlanet a pleasure. Our sunglasses forum is the place to go to share opinions and ask them questions. All our products for sale are factory sealed and backed up by a full warranty and are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

American Optical Lenses

Glass Lenses: True Color - grey lenses; Cosmetan - brown lenses
Polycarbonate Lenses: Color Correct - grey lenses; High Contrast - brown lenses

American Optical History

The development of the eyewear industry in the United States started in the 19-th century. Before this time, eyeglasses frames and lenses were imported from Europe. In 1826 William Beecher started his own eyewear business in the US and opened a company named American Optical. The Company grew fast expending every year.

In 1917, AO designed and built 8 mobile optical units to support U.S. troops and Allied Forces in Europe during WWI. These self contained glasses facilities were stocked with all necessary eyeglasses, lenses, refractive equipment and machines for the fitting and filling of prescription and distribution of sunglasses. Two white metal frames, Liberty and Victory were put to service in the field. A record of two and one-half million glasses were furnished to the US Government for the war effort. During WWII, American Optical had again come to the forefront with new optical eyewear developed by their research laboratories. This development work allowed AO to supply the US Government with new optical products including gun sights, AR glass, aviation goggles, sunglasses and prescription glasses for military and instrument applications.

Between 1943 and 1944, a total of 10 million goggles frames, 5 million pairs of sun glasses and over 6.5 million pairs of lenses were grounded and polished including 1.4 million prescription sunglasses delivered to the Armed Forces. By 1946, AO contribution to the war effort was so substantial that the Company and the entire work force were presented the Army-Navy E award as recognition for their dedication to the cause of national defense. The earliest form of sunglass and sunwear made by AO were vintage sunglasses fitted with a variety of tinted lenses in blue, smoke, pink, and amber shades. It was in 1913 when AO secured the rights to Crookes glasses and that the study of Ultra Violet protection became an exact science. The Crookes glasses sold then were either clear lenses or various darker shades, obviously for extended outdoor usage.

In fact the Original Pilot Sunglasses were honored to be the first sunglass to land on the moon worn by Neil Armstrong in 1969. It now resides in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Subsequent years saw numerous collections of AO frames and sunglasses made and sold. A plethora of fascinating and mind-boggling shapes, colors, sizes, materials and designs were offered. They were the trend setters in their own right. American Optic vintage sun glasses could be found on the cool bikers in the 1969 movie, Easy Rider. The hotshot aviators in Top Gun wore aviator shaped frames as well. In the fashion industry, trends and eyewear designs come and go. Occasionally a style or two will return for a period. AO Eyewear prides itself on its products, classic lines and styling. At AO Eyewear, they are as committed as the founders of the company to continue to uphold the value of producing the highest quality, innovative and design-driven eyewear products that withstand the test of time. For the best american optical products, please visit our sections AO Flight Gear, AO Original Pilot Sunglasses, AO Sunglasses, and AO prescription sunglasses sections.