{"product_id":"1960s-american-optical-frames-archive-0470","title":"1960s American Optical Frames | Archive 0470","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe American Optical Skymaster Navigator reflects the clean, precise character of mid-century eyewear design. Its softly squared aviator silhouette features a broad brow, gently rounded lower corners, and balanced proportions, creating a distinctive profile with a refined architectural quality. The slim gold-toned metal construction keeps the frame visually light, while the darker accents around the bridge and temple areas add subtle contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrame Model:\u003c\/strong\u003e Skymaster Navigator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecade:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1960s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLenses: \u003c\/strong\u003eEmpty, ready for custom\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent vintage\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements: \u003c\/strong\u003e56-18-140\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in Massachusetts in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1833\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, American Optical is one of the oldest eyewear manufacturers in the United States. The company became an important force in American optical manufacturing, introducing early steel spectacles, rimless frames, and the influential Ful-Vue construction. Its history is particularly tied to aviation and the U.S. military: American Optical supplied pilot goggles during World War I and developed military aviator sunglasses beginning in the 1930s. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican Optical's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFG-58\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, introduced for U.S. military pilots in 1958 and now known as the Original Pilot, became one of its most recognizable designs. The model was later issued to NASA astronauts, and pairs accompanied the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApollo 11 crew to the moon in 1969\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Beyond military eyewear, AO also crossed into fashion through collaborations with designers including Claire McCardell, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Oscar de la Renta, making vintage American Optical frames an intersection of American manufacturing, military design, and 20th-century fashion history. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"American Optical","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54114449588408,"sku":"ALI-0926-38","price":218.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/8814\/4312\/files\/1-IMG_1773.jpg?v=1790863554","url":"https:\/\/azyrspecs.com\/en-ca\/products\/1960s-american-optical-frames-archive-0470","provider":"AZYR Specs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}