Who founded Smith Optics in 1965?

Dr. Bob Smith founded Smith Optics in 1965.

Smith, an orthodontist and avid skier, began making ski goggles after becoming dissatisfied with the equipment available to him. The company’s early products were built around winter sports, where fogging, cold, wind, and changing visibility create practical problems for athletes.

The business later expanded from goggles into sunglasses and other outdoor eyewear. Its history is therefore rooted more strongly in ski equipment than in the fashion-driven origins of several major sunglasses labels.

Dr. Bob Smith is not the founder of Oakley, despite both brands becoming associated with performance eyewear. Oakley was founded by James Jannard in 1975. Smith Optics also should not be confused with Smith & Wesson or other companies using the surname Smith.