| Originally designed to protect the eyes of welder, | | | | down over the ears tightly so they won't slip off. |
| motorists and aviator's, goggles of all types are | | | | Contemporary goggles are more likely to have |
| making a comeback as a fashion statement, | | | | either arms or an elastic headband, depending on |
| particularly among the Steampunk and Goth | | | | who they are made for. |
| subcultures. Vintage goggles dating from World | | | | There are two major goggle manufacturer whose |
| War I and II are frequently the most sought | | | | products are highly sought after on the collectibles |
| after lenses, and they aren't just worn covering | | | | market. The first is the Jeantet Company, a |
| the eyes. The fashionable look includes goggles | | | | French manufacturer of spectacle frames. In |
| slung around the neck or topping off hats, caps | | | | 1929, they introduced a new design onto the |
| and top hats. | | | | marketplace, called Aviator Goggles, and they |
| Designed for safety, goggles have a variety of | | | | were marketed to sportsmen, particularly |
| applications -- from protecting welder's from flying | | | | motorcyclists, aviators and drivers. The company |
| bits of particles, to protecting scientists from | | | | has been in business ever since and in 1992 they |
| splashed chemicals, to protecting cyclists, skiers, | | | | actually started up production once again on their |
| motorists and aviators from the elements -- dust, | | | | famous aviator goggles. |
| wind and blinding sunlight. What makes a pair of | | | | The other manufacturer to be on the look out |
| goggles different from a standard pair of | | | | for is the American company, Willson. Still |
| sunglasses is the protective screen around the | | | | manufacturing safety goggles today, Willson has |
| corners of the eyes, called side curtains. On | | | | been in business since before World War I and |
| vintage goggles, the protective molding that fully | | | | their vintage military goggles are highly sought |
| surrounds the eye is often made of leather, but it | | | | after by collectors. Willson produced a whole |
| can also be fashioned from wire mesh or glass, as | | | | range of safety goggles, even ladies' motorcycle |
| well. Vintage goggles most frequently are | | | | goggles, and if you see a pair of those on Ebay, |
| fastened with cloth ties or with arms that hook | | | | grab them! They're quite rare. |