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Oakley, Inc. is an eyewear company based in Foothill Ranch, California making sunglasses, sports visors and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football and hockey eyewear, and other accessories.

History

Oakley was started by James Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name Oakley came from Jannard's dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips available at the time. The material used for the grips, a unique creation by Jannard, became tacky when wet. The material is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces.

Although the grips were successful, brand recognition was limited as the grips were usually concealed by the riders' hands. In 1980, Jannard released a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, onlookers began to recognize the brand. In 1984, Oakley introduced a pair of sunglasses called the Eyeshade, which were made of plastic and featured removable lenses. They were popularized by Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and other professional cyclists. Oakley continued to introduce new models of sunglasses, including the Blades, Razor Blades, Frogskins, and the Mumbos, which eventually evolved into the M-Frame series of glasses.^[2]

Oakley signed a four-year agreement to manufacture eyewear designed by it and Fox Racing in September 2004. These products are sold as the Fox Eyewear brand.^[3]

In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear.

On June 21, 2007, Italian group Luxottica announced a plan to merge with Oakley in a cash deal worth $2.1 billion, and the deal was completed on November 15, 2007. Oakley is now in the portfolio of Milan-based Luxottica group, along with other brands such as Ray-Ban, Persol, and Vogue.^[4]

Materials

Oakley sunglasses comply with the ANSI Z87.1 requirements for impact and high impact protection. They feature Oakley’s High Definition Optics (HDO) which provides clarity whilst also protecting the eye. All Oakley glasses must pass two tests before being produced for sale. The first test consists of firing 1/4 inch steel ball at the eyewear at 102 mph (150 fps), the second test is dropping a 500 gram or 1.1 lb steel spike on the lens from 130 cm or 51 inches. In both cases the lens must not crack, shatter or eject from the frame.

Other

• Unobtainium is a hydrophillic rubber compound that has increased grip when wet with perspiration.^[5] The compound was first used for a motorcycle handgrip^[5] and has also been used in the nose-pieces and ear-stems of their sunglasses since 1987^[6] and in their watches since 2002.^[7]

Popular culture

Oakley sunglasses routinely appear in popular movies (particularly action films), including the X-Men series, Mission: Impossible 2, Blade II, Black Hawk Down, Spider-Man, Wanted (2009 film) , The Book of Eli (2010) and others.

Rapper/Producer Lil' Jon is both an Oakley collector and a spokesperson/model for the company, and has several signature versions of Oakley eyewear.

Poker player Phil Hellmuth is sponsored by Oakley.

Oakley signed a deal with Ducati to produce a range of Ducati themed sunglasses and to sponsor the Ducati MotoGP and Superbike teams. Riders past and present such as Casey Stoner, Sete Gibernau and Loris Capirossi have had their own Oakley signature sunglasses. Oakley also sponsor MotoGP riders such as Nicky Hayden.

Oakley also created a line of gloves and visors for ice hockey. Stars such as the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin and former New York Rangers' forward Theoren Fleury wear the tinted Oakley aviator half-shield.

Oakley supports many racing drivers, including drivers such as Tony Stewart who has his own limited edition set, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bobby Labonte and Gary Scelzi.

Oakley maintains US Standard Issue, which provides US military and law enforcement eye protection at significantly reduced prices. Very popular amongst US combat troops, Oakley M Frame sunglasses are included as part of the US Army Approved Protective Eyewear List (APEL), and have been assigned an NSN number for ordering through military supply channels.

Oakley is the sole company that has a lifetime deal with Lance Armstrong. In June 2007 Oakley created two special edition sunglasses, one the Radar, the other, the Flak Jacket, with "LIVESTRONG" laser-etched on the lens, as well as the iconic yellow color used to represent the Livestrong moniker on the earstems and Oakley logo. In 2008, this collaboration continues with the 2008-spec Straight Jacket, and features the word 'LIVESTRONG' laser-etched on the left lens while the temples and Oakley icon are yellow following the Livestrong Foundation's color.

Two jets were painted in an Oakley paint scheme, both Bombardier Global Express jets belonging to Jim Jannard. Registration: NT2 and N701WH.

Counterfeit Oakleys

Oakley's sunglasses are often counterfeited and sold in markets globally that cater to tourists and Internet buyers. Counterfeit Oakleys are often referred to as "Fauxkleys" or "Jokeleys." Counterfeit Oakleys are occasionally referred to as Oakeys.

Gallery

Oakley A-Wire with c5 alloy frames	Oakley Half Wire with a spring hinge	Oakley Half Jacket	Oakley Juliet with x-metal frame and ruby iridium lenses
Oakley X-Metal Juliet with Ruby Iridium lenses (serialled)	Oakley Penny	Oakley Fate for women with gold iridium lenses	Oakley Script for women
Oakley Unknown with dark grey lenses	Oakley XX with O-matter frames	Oakley Fat Cat, Cream with Gold Iridium lenses	Oakley Flak Jacket, Polished White with Ice Iridium lenses
Oakley Monster Dog, Crystal Black with Black Iridium lenses	Oakley Valve, Silver with Ice Iridium lenses	Oakley Scar, Electric Blue with Ice Iridium lenses	Oakley Splice, Crystal Black/FMJ with Ice Iridium lenses
Oakley Monster Pup, Matte Black with Grey lenses	Oakley X-Metal Mars Leather with Gold Iridium lenses	M Frame with Hybrid S Vented Fire Iridium Polarized Lenses, the smallest lenses made for M Frames.

References

External links

• Oakley - The Official Site