“The AO heritage began in 1826, when William Beecher, a Connecticut farm boy, came to Southbridge, after an apprenticeship in Providence, Rhode Island, where he learned the jeweler’s trade. This trade he practiced in Southbridge for seven years before his fateful encounter with a pair of typically crude imported spectacles. ‘I can do it better,’ said William Beecher to himself and he went to work.” His sunglasses went on to be the first sunglasses to ever land on the moon worn by Neil Armstrong and crew of the Apollo 11 in 1969. For more info on American Optical check out their website aoeyeware.com. For now check out their 1954 ad below.
