As in so many other cases, the story of Ray-Ban and its sunglasses begins in the military. During the 1930s, the US Air Force developed new aircraft models that could fly higher and faster, increasing the physical stress on pilots and exposing them to strong reflections from the sun. The Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses were developed to protect pilots' eyes and were soon worn outside the air force. A legendary brand was born and, as in so many other cases, military items soon reached the general public. Throughout history, Ray-Ban's countless classic models have since come to be associated with film stars, rock musicians and cultural icons with a fondness for that design and Ray-Ban's historical legacy.