American Optical created the Original Pilot sunglasses for military use in 1958.
American Optical, commonly abbreviated AO, is a long-established American optical company. Its Original Pilot design was developed for U.S. military aviators and featured lenses intended to reduce glare while preserving visibility. The design used a teardrop-shaped lens and a thin metal frame, features that became strongly associated with pilot sunglasses.
The model is often described as the predecessor of modern aviator-style sunglasses. Although many companies now sell aviator frames, American Optical’s military connection and 1958 date identify the Original Pilot specifically.
The design is not the same as Ray-Ban’s Aviator, which was introduced earlier, in 1937. Both are associated with aviation, but they are separate products made by different companies and launched in different years.