Ray-Ban is an iconic American eyewear brand renowned for its classic sunglasses and eyeglasses. Founded in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb in Rochester, New York, the company initially designed sunglasses for U.S. Army Air Corps pilots to reduce glare at high altitudes. This led to the creation of the Aviator model in 1937, characterized by its thin metal frame and teardrop-shaped lenses.