American Optical History
Safety Products

American Optical's contributions in the field of Safety products include:

        *  First Safety Goggle
        *  First Heat Tempered Glass Lens (added impact resistance lens strength)
        *  Invented Calobar and Cruxite absorbtive glass
        *  Fulvue Frame (first with temples attached at the top)
        *  Executive Bifocal Safety lens

AO Safety info from 1954 letters to Arthur Keeney by George Schauweker

AO Safety firsts - 1981 summary

1925 Catalogue

AO Putnam Ct Plant history - Rev May 4, 2010

AO Brattleboro Super Armorplate Lens Plant

AO's Byron Zeigler, who later started Omintech which became Gentex is shown in a 1944 Cover feature on Scientific American

1948 Sunglasses

Dave LaMarre / Wes Reed Article on AO Sunglass History (1975)

Wes Reed shown in 1943 booklet on AO Main Plant rooftop testing materials for outdoor weathering
 

Example Spectral Transmission Curves of the Eye compared with Glass types - 1948
 
 

AO Polycarbonate Saftey lens - ~1983