Founded in 1833, American Optical created many popular eyewear designs that are still worn today. The company currently manufactures its glasses in Chicago.
In the 1950s and 1960s, american optical It was the world’s largest eyewear company. We employ more than 6,000 people at our headquarters in Southbridge, Massachusetts and in offices around the world.
However, in the late 1920s,th A century later, the vertically strengthened American company began selling off divisions and assets, becoming a small manufacturer with its own line of historic eyewear and sunglasses.
Then, in 1998, Alan McKinley, president of American Optical, decided to purchase the remaining sunglasses portion of the business and move manufacturing back from China to Southbridge.
McKinley was able to restore the quality that American Optical was known for and ultimately decided to sell the company to European Eyewear, an independent wholesaler headquartered in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
American Optical, now owned by Europa Eyewear, underwent a major reboot in 2019, moving all manufacturing to a new factory near Chicago.
The newly reborn American Optical, 2024 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide A perfect selection for family and friends wearing sunshades.
Sure, plastic sunglasses are perfect for stocking stuffers on Christmas morning, but American Optical’s glasses are more of a luxury gift, requiring individual wrapping with a ribbon for the recipient. After all, you won’t be stuffing a Rolex watch into your stocking.
Scott Shapiro, executive director of American Optical Eyewear, guided the combination of Europa Eyewear’s plastic eyeglass frames with the metal frame manufacturing of the original American Optical Eyewear company.
“My family has been in the eyeglass and optical business since 1977, selling eyeglass frames to optometry offices and mostly independent retailers across the country,” Shapiro said. “We established our own factory in 2014 because it was very rare for eyewear to be manufactured in the United States.
“We wanted to have a differentiator that we believe Americans can make eyewear. It’s not as cheap as China, but it’s as high quality as something made in Italy.” I believed it could be made in America, or in France or Japan.”
Approximately 80% of the world’s eyeglass frames are manufactured in China by the conglomerate EssilorLuxottica. Popular brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Armani, Ralph Lauren and many popular chain stores are owned by EssilorLuxottica.
“We talked about buying what was left of American Optical, bringing a manufacturing plant here to Chicago, and combining metal manufacturing with acetate, or plastic manufacturing,” Shapiro said. “So we did that in 2019 and made a major investment to bring that brand back because we take great pride in making eyewear here in the United States. ” We considered American Optical, and its history was a good fit for us.
“Today, we manufacture both American Optical eyeglasses and sunglasses, creating the same styles that have been central to American history for almost 100 years. Just to name a few, our original Pilot The style was worn by fighter pilots during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and has been worn by countless celebrities, including Robert De Niro in the movie Taxi Driver, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. Of course the iconic metal pair is very common for pilots.
The top-of-the-line sunglasses were also a big hit with the President of the United States.
Saratoga-style plastic sunglasses were often seen adorning President John F. Kennedy during long voyages and campaign trips in the summer sun.
“Kennedy, of course, was a Massachusetts native and a regular and loyal customer of American Optical, and was often seen wearing Saratoga sunglasses,” Shapiro said.
President Lyndon Johnson and black activist Malcolm X both wore American Optical Thurmont-style glasses, even though they viewed the American civil rights movement through different lenses. President Dwight Eisenhower also wore one.
“There’s so much history,” Shapiro said. “I like to say that the history of American Optical is American history. If you follow that timeline, it’s amazing how much American history continues.”
Approximately 20 original American Optical sunglasses are available in boutiques, men’s clothing stores, and in stores. Company website. Expedited ordering is available if you place your order by Saturday, December 21st. Sunglasses are available for $210 or $220 each. This website is equipped with a camera that allows you to videotape yourself wearing sunglasses on your face.
American Optical frames for prescription glasses can be found at over 1,000 retailers and optometry offices, and prescription lenses for glasses are also available. Many of these frames fall under the brand name STATE, and some are constructed with parts sourced from Japan. You can easily search for stores near you. www.europaeye.com Open the website and enter your postal code.
