Oakley, Oakley Sunglasses, Oakley Apparel and Accessories

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A mad scientist named Jim Jannard began questioning the limits of industry standards. “No one believed my ideas,” said Jim. “No one would listen.” In 1975, he went into business for himself. Jim started Oakley with $300 and the simple idea of making products that work better and look better than anything else out there. For Jim, that meant challenging the limits of conventional thinking.

His homespun company was struggling yet his next invention would become a mainstay in MX racing for 17 years. Jim created the O Frame® goggle with a lens curved in the perfect arc of a cylinder. Pros like Mark Barnett, Marty Smith, Johnny O‘Mara and Jeff Ward championed its clarity and wide peripheral view. “I always knew we would succeed. That comes from believing in what you’re doing, and striving to do it better than anyone thought possible.” Jim went back to his lab and started reinventing sunglasses for sports. Few believed it could be done successfully, and most thought the industry’s big companies could not be challenged.

Jim used innovations from his previous inventions to create “Eyeshades®,” a design that began an evolution of eyewear from generic accessory to vital equipment. With more than 600 patents worldwide its no wonder Oakley attracts the best golfers in the world. Rory Mcilroy and Ian Poulter spearhead its users and with Rory reaching no.1 in the world Oakley's presence and unique quality reaches new heights in the game of golf.