Sunglasses became essential for pilots in the early days of aviation. In World War I, they wore protective goggles against wind, debris, and glare. By the 1930s, these had evolved into the iconic Aviators, created by Bausch & Lomb for US Army Air Corps pilots. With their large teardrop lenses and slim metal frame, Aviators soon won over both pilots and civilians—and remain a timeless style icon today.
