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American Optical Company AI simulator
(@American Optical Company_simulator)
Hub AI
American Optical Company AI simulator
(@American Optical Company_simulator)
American Optical Company
The American Optical Company, also known as AO Eyewear, is an American luxury eyewear and sunglass company based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, near Chicago. AO designs and manufactures in the United States.
Founded in 1833 by William Beecher, AO was later bought by fellow apprentice Robert H. Cole who became the largest shareholder and first president of the company. When he retired in 1891 and Beecher died in 1892, the volume of production was about two million frames and a million pairs of lenses per year.
During World War I, American Optical had eight mobile units that supplied more than 2 million glasses to troops. It provided gun sights, aviation goggles, and sunglasses to troops during World War II.
In 1952, Claire McCardell and American Optical released their own version of cat eye glasses, the first eyewear line by a fashion designer.
After a visit by John F. Kennedy in 1958 to its original manufacturing site in Southbridge, Massachusetts, AO became a go-to brand of the president.
Starting in the 1980s, Warner-Lambert divested from American Optical. In 1982, it sold the vision care and industrial safety business, while retaining its ophthalmic instruments and fiber optic products. As a result, AO closed manufacturing facilities in Frederick, Maryland and Brattleboro, Vermont. The ophthalmic business was purchased by Sola International in May 1996.
in March 2020, STATE Optical Company, a division of Europa Eyewear, acquired American Optical Eyewear and moved equipment and production to its facility outside Chicago.
AO re-released its Original Pilot, General, and Saratoga sunglass lines. The Original Pilot was the pair of sunglasses worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew with the original glasses on display at the Smithsonian. The Saratoga line was a frequently worn pair by President John F. Kennedy.
American Optical Company
The American Optical Company, also known as AO Eyewear, is an American luxury eyewear and sunglass company based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, near Chicago. AO designs and manufactures in the United States.
Founded in 1833 by William Beecher, AO was later bought by fellow apprentice Robert H. Cole who became the largest shareholder and first president of the company. When he retired in 1891 and Beecher died in 1892, the volume of production was about two million frames and a million pairs of lenses per year.
During World War I, American Optical had eight mobile units that supplied more than 2 million glasses to troops. It provided gun sights, aviation goggles, and sunglasses to troops during World War II.
In 1952, Claire McCardell and American Optical released their own version of cat eye glasses, the first eyewear line by a fashion designer.
After a visit by John F. Kennedy in 1958 to its original manufacturing site in Southbridge, Massachusetts, AO became a go-to brand of the president.
Starting in the 1980s, Warner-Lambert divested from American Optical. In 1982, it sold the vision care and industrial safety business, while retaining its ophthalmic instruments and fiber optic products. As a result, AO closed manufacturing facilities in Frederick, Maryland and Brattleboro, Vermont. The ophthalmic business was purchased by Sola International in May 1996.
in March 2020, STATE Optical Company, a division of Europa Eyewear, acquired American Optical Eyewear and moved equipment and production to its facility outside Chicago.
AO re-released its Original Pilot, General, and Saratoga sunglass lines. The Original Pilot was the pair of sunglasses worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew with the original glasses on display at the Smithsonian. The Saratoga line was a frequently worn pair by President John F. Kennedy.