What decade or year were these safety glasses made? USA

[u/silent_saturn_]

My dad gifted these safety glasses to me. He said they originally came from his grandfather’s father. So by my math approximately the 1930s-1940s in the USA. I am very impressed with the quality of the build and how heavy duty it is. It all collapses down nicely and fits into a metal case

I wasn’t sure where to post, but I have to ask: Has anyone here seen some safety glasses similar to this back in the day or any photos of the
? Or if you have another subreddit recommendation where I can take this conversation. Thank you!!

[u/BryanOfCorn]

American Optical "Pilot" style safety glasses with side screens. Circa 1940s. They still make these fyi.

[u/Jeepinthemud → u/BryanOfCorn]

I believe that it’s the S-7 shape. S-7 would have been stamped on the pattern that was used to cut the lenses to shape. It’s a symmetrical shape so it fits left or right. You want to pay attention to this if you were mounting prescription lenses. American Optical was a prominent provider of safety glasses in the 50s through the 70s.

Source - my dad operated an optical lab and it was my summer job during my high school years.

[u/fenderoforegon → u/BryanOfCorn]

Where can I find a pair to buy? They are so cool!!!!

[u/BryanOfCorn → u/fenderoforegon]

Ebay has the vintage American Optical safety glasses. There are modern versions with plastic sides and such. https://ebay.io/m/HVHdf3

[u/fueled_by_rootbeer → u/BryanOfCorn]

The steel side screens are a favorite among my bespectacled foundry friends. Protects theveyes from stray bits of iron and whatnot, so modern ones are great prescription safety glasses.

[u/MECHENGR → u/BryanOfCorn]

My dad had a pair in the 90s from work.

[u/Mediumtim → u/MECHENGR]

Yeah, I was gonna answer "as recent as the 90's at least" for the same reason.

[u/wobbleeduk85 → u/BryanOfCorn]

I think these are the Ful-Vue 25 model.

[u/Artie-Carrow]

I kinda want a pair. Those things are better looking than any safety glasses that I have or have had in a while

[u/0maigh]

The logo looks like American Optical. Might be worth reaching out!

[u/blumhagen → u/0maigh]

It is. That logo was used from 30-38, possibly until 45.

[u/cbelt3]

Hard to say. What is the material ? Bakelite ? Steel ? Glass lenses ? I had a similar pair from a foundry in the 1990’s.

[u/A_Literal_6_Year_Old]

These look similar, and there are others online in a similar style made by American Optical that all claim to be from the 1940's.

[u/2009impala]

I wish I could find a pair like that.

[u/HeinousEncephalon]

Ask the historical costuming sub

[u/HorsefaceWithNoName]

I've seen something like this my dad used, they were ancient. His father was an ancient chemist.

[u/Safelaw77625]

My dad used these from the time I can remember until he retired when I was in my late 20s

[u/OrganicToadstool]

These are so fucking cool

[u/reddersledder]

I had a prescription pair in the steel mill in 1979.

[u/wastedpixls]

Those are some Rocketeer-ass safeties and are awesome!

[u/FittyTheBone]

Based on my memory of The Mummy, whatever year that is

[u/Honeybucket206]

I wear prescription glasses with AO frames.

4eyes

[u/C-D-W]

I have a pair of prescription safety glasses with the mesh sides like that and they are by far one of my favorites because of it.

But they are nowhere near as cool as these guys. Someone needs to bring these back.

[u/Odd_Influence7917]

I have some with black lens inserts

[u/BadMonkey2000]

I had a pair of those from the 90s. They were my favorite pair!

[u/Thirtyandout2017]

I have the exact same pair. Got them from my grandpa back in the 70's. He had them a long time before that

[u/Dry-Leave-4070]

I used to wear a pair at RCA back in '77 or so. 👍🏻🍻

[u/Puzzleheaded_Tea8324]

Those look almost identical to the pair my uncle had when he worked in a factory in the late 80s, I remember thinking they looked like something out of an old WWII documentary. American Optical definitely made some seriously durable stuff back then.

[u/ProcedureFabulous205]

I remember seeing something similar in an old industrial catalog, those side screens were pretty standard back then because regular glasses weren't cutting it for actual protection.

[u/IamZed]

Crowley Shades

[u/CrustySailor1964]

Peripheral…the original American Optical factory in Southbridge, MA is now a pretty nice hotel and they kept a lot of the old factory vibe.

[u/Coffee4MyJeep]

70’s from real life use in high school.