American Optical

Starting in a small room above a jewelry shop in 1833, American Optical has been at the forefront of style and innovation for over 180 years. From those humble beginnings, AO has graced the faces of countless celebrities, served its country, created countless jobs, and been to the moon and back.

Moving from their humble beginnings, American Optical built their first factory in Southbridge Massachusetts in 1839, and shortly thereafter became the first optical company in the country to move the manufacture of lenses Stateside, as they had previously been made overseas, and refined once delivered. Other firsts include the first true rimless spectacle design, the first safety goggle, and the first true impact resistant lens.

Just after the dawn of the twentieth century, American Optical served our our military by supplying pilots in WWI with flight goggles, telescopic sights, panoramic lenses, and, for our wounded veterans, innovative prosthetic eyes created from plastics rather than the prohibitively expensive glass. Their service to the country continued into the second world war, with prefabricated and portable lens edging equipment designed to fit into the back of Willys Jeeps in order to supply and repair glasses for troops deployed to the front.

After the war effort, American Optical continued to offer innovations to the world of optometry, but also found itself becoming a style icon. Popular frames such as The Times, The Sirmont, and The Liner found themselves in demand and would eventually make their way onto the faces of some of our country's most important figures. From social icons Malcolm X, JFK, and Lyndon Baines Johnson, to art and style icons like Bob Dylan, Truman Capote, and Andy Warhol, American Optical was in a category of its own when it came to the currency of "cool". Many of these designs are still available today, and constructed using the same commitment to quality and longevity as they were decades ago.

Timeless designs are one thing, but where American Optical truly shines is in its commitment to remaining Made In The USA. Though times have changed and components are sourced from specialists overseas in both Italy and Germany, the fabricating and shaping of the glasses takes place entirely in their Chicago office, which opened in 1909. Built for the long haul, American Optical frames offer the discerning customer a rugged, stylish, and well made option with a history that truly cannot be matched.