1960s American Optical Frames | Archive 0470
$5.00 per wear · worn 30 times
The more you wear it, the lower it gets.
- Ships to the US
From the brand’s own pages, read October 5
First impression
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Details
The 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. Frame Model: Skymaster Navigator Decade: 1960s Country of Origin: France Lenses: Empty, ready for custom Condition: Excellent vintage Measurements: 56-18-140 Historical Context Founded in Massachusetts in 1833, 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. American Optical's FG-58, 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 Apollo 11 crew to the moon in 1969. 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.
