In what country was Ray-Ban originally founded?

Ray-Ban was originally founded in the United States.

The brand was created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb, a company based in Rochester, New York. Its origins are closely tied to aviation: U.S. Army Air Corps Colonel John A. Macready worked with Bausch & Lomb to develop sunglasses that could reduce glare and improve pilots’ vision at high altitude.

The first design was known as Anti-Glare. It used green lenses to reduce harsh blue and white light without greatly obscuring vision. Bausch & Lomb later developed impact-resistant lenses and a metal-framed version that became associated with the Aviator name. The public launch followed in the United States during the late 1930s.

A common source of confusion is Ray-Ban’s present-day ownership and headquarters. The brand is now Italian-owned through the Luxottica Group, which acquired it from Bausch & Lomb in 1999. That later ownership does not change its origin: Ray-Ban was created in Rochester, New York, United States.

The name Ray-Ban refers to blocking or reducing harmful rays of light, reflecting the brand’s original glare-protection purpose.