2007-04-26 09:00:45 - Aviator sunglasses started out as that, for use in the industry of aviation. They were developed by Ray-Ban in 1937 at a time when the United States was coming out the slump of the depression into an exciting new era. Sitting around the radio and going to the movies was an escape and a way to connect with the heroes and heroines of the day as was the worship of the pioneers who were taking to the sky and reaching new heights - the brave aviators.

That was Ray-Ban's first mission along with the first individuals in flight - to protect their eyes. They did this by first selling special flying goggles to the Army and the Navy. But pilots wanted something more streamlined, especially because the goggles caused a very mismatched tan from their strength which resulted in a very white area around the eyes

with darkened skin elsewhere. The original pairs which were oversized were named as such because of the similar slanted drop shape as the goggles from which they were spun off from. The new eyewear solved the tan situation - they shielded the eyes properly from the sun while allowing enough of the rays in to tan the skin evenly. By 1941 the sunglasses were beating the goggles in popularity especially with Naval aviators and there was even a type with smaller more square lenses which was the preferred style of the Army/Air Force aviators.

What makes aviator sunglasses different than others is because of that teardrop and slanted shape with slightly bulging rather than straight lenses. The shape was designed so that pilots would have little light coming in to impede what they were doing. Ray-Ban in the meantime continued into the 1940's to work closely with the Air Force to improve upon the technology of their eyewear, including the addition of gradient mirror lenses for extra protection.

After some time this type of sunglass eventually found its way out into the mainstream while still maintaining a place in aviation and were embraced by the public because they were considered fashionable. They have also become a popular style among law enforcement officials because they can conceal the eyes of the officers wearing them without impeding their vision, giving them a sense of distance from the people that they come in contact with while offering superior eye protection.

Aviator sunglasses reached a spike in popularity in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's and were especially popularized when Tom Cruise wore them in the movie 'Top Gun-. Their appeal dipped in the 1990's but they've received an encore welcome because of the return in the new century to retro fashions of those prior decades.

Today they have regained momentum and have returned as a fashion and eye protecting staple. They are produced by a variety of manufacturers, although Ray-Ban holds the title for birthing this fantastic style. Today they are still produced with the usual metal rims but come in a variety of different shades when it comes to the lenses and their tints. They are worn by famous movie stars such as English actor Rupert Friend, actor and comedian Johnny Knoxville. They've been spotted on such beauties as Jada Pinkett Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum and Britney Spears. They've been the favorite of some big time musicians especially those such as Lenny Kravitz, Nikki Sixx and Cee-Lo Green.

Some are more oversized and have attracted a following of fashion-forward individuals who love their looks and can wear them to events that may require a dressier pair of eyewear. Gloria Steinhem has been a fan of this particular type for years, even spurning reports that she does not remove them even when indoors and has worn them even while they were not as all the rage. But these days you'll see them worn by famous females such as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, thus further reigniting their popularity and continuum to a newer generation.

Today there are also newer features added to aviator sunglasses such as polarization, which reduces extra horizontal sun glare off of surfaces with the vertical polarizers. This innovative addition to the lens definitely helps not just pilots but anyone else wearing this type including sports enthusiasts and those wearing them for general use.