The eyewear brand founded in 2010 by Neil Blumenthal, Dave Gilboa, Andrew Hunt, and Jeffrey Raider was Warby Parker.
The founders launched the company in New York City with an online-first approach to selling prescription glasses and sunglasses. The business became associated with direct-to-consumer pricing, home try-on services, and a design-led alternative to traditional optical retail.
The company’s name combines two character names from Jack Kerouac’s unpublished journals. Warby Parker later expanded into physical stores and optometry services, while continuing to sell frames and sunglasses through its own retail channels.
The brand is sometimes confused with online eyewear retailers that sell third-party labels. Warby Parker is primarily known for designing and selling its own branded eyewear. Its founding year and four named founders make this a more precise identification than simply calling it an internet glasses company.