Oakley

Oakley History

In the 1970s, a mad scientist named Jim Jannard began searching for ways to improve motocross gear. His experiments with materials and shapes yielded almost immediate results, but no one believed in his ideas. So, in 1975, Jim struck out on his own. He founded the Oakley brand—named after his dog—with $300 in startup capital and the simple idea of ​​creating products that worked better and looked better than the products available at the time. In his garage lab, Jim developed a motorcycle grip with a unique pattern and shape that perfectly conformed to the rider's hand. Professional riders were immediately impressed by the design and the material, which provided even better grip when sweat came into contact with it. "Everything in the world can and will be improved," was Jim's firm belief. "The only question is when and by whom." Jim himself, at least, worked hard to break through conventional thinking. Although his own company was struggling, his next innovation was already on the horizon: The Oakley O-Frame goggle, the first goggle with a perfectly cylindrical lens, would remain the standard in motocross for the next 17 years. Jim's next step was to reinvent sunglasses and make them suitable for elite sports. Few believed this was possible, least of all the established brands. Jim created the Oakley Eyeshades, sunglasses that sparked an eyewear evolution; sunglasses would slowly transform from a mere accessory into an indispensable part of the equipment of elite athletes. In the years that followed, Oakley never stopped improving products and seeking unconventional solutions. Decades of innovation yielded countless new technologies and products, often balancing on the boundaries of art and science. The fact that Oakley holds more than 600 worldwide patents speaks volumes. Today, Jim Jannard's brand continues to create products that are better than the competition and offer solutions for those who refuse to compromise on performance.

Oakley Frogskin

While Oakley became known for performance-oriented single-lens sunglasses like the Eyeshades and Razorblades, its first dual-lens sunglasses, the Frogskins, were an equally significant breakthrough. The glasses were introduced in the early 1980s, a time when Reagan was in the White House, Terminator was breaking box office records, and Run DMC was churning out hit after hit. While the Eyeshades and Razorblades were primarily popular with cyclists and athletes, the Frogskins struck a chord with a completely different demographic. Surfers, pop stars, and other cool people embraced them, and they became a pop culture icon. Even today, the Frogskins remain as popular as ever. This is due not only to their cool retro style, but also to their excellent vision and unparalleled durability.