Bausch & Lomb

Optical company in Rochester, New York, founded by John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb; created Ray-Ban and sold the brand in 1999.

John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb were German immigrants who started an optical shop in Rochester, New York. The company made spectacles, lenses, microscopes and camera lenses.

Bausch & Lomb developed sunglasses for American military pilots and launched them as Ray-Ban in 1937. The brand was sold to Luxottica in 1999, and Bausch & Lomb now concentrates on eye care and contact lenses.

B&L etched in the lens of older Ray-Bans.

• Eyewear