Brands We Love: Randolph Engineering
July 31, 2019
RANDOLPH ENGINEERING is the essence of “Made in U.S.A.” and is just one of the reasons why we display and promote frames from their company.
Founded in 1972
Former Royal Air Force navigator, Jan Waszkiewicz, and machinist, Stanley Zaleski, founded the Massachusetts-based company in 1972 as an optical machinery factory. Their goal was simple – “build the world’s best sunglass.” Six years later, Randolph Engineering began making sunglasses at its facility in Randolph, MA.
All Randolph glasses are made by skilled American workers. Their factory is the only remaining metal eyewear company in the United States! Randolph patented a 200-step process for making their frames; Most of the process involves hand-assembly. Using specially designed instruments and materials, it takes 6 weeks to make a single pair of glasses from scratch. This is a key sign of quality eyewear.
Supporting Our Troops
In 1978, Randolph teamed with the U.S. Military to create the HGU-4/P Aviator for fighter pilots. The glasses were made following the incredibly strict standards for manufacturing military eyewear. While still making aviators for the military, Randolph was selected for the Frame of Choice (FOC) program in 2000. This program provides Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and NASA with “an alternative to standard-issue military spectacles.” Still to this day, Randolph continues to produce aviators for the U.S. Military and offers other glasses options through the FOC program to men and women serving our country.
Made in the U.S.A. Quality
The same durable, reliable military-issued glasses worn by our troops are available to the general public. All frame materials are source in the U.S., which enhances the quality. Randolph sunglasses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection – a must when in the sun! There are also polarized lens options available to decrease squinting and minimize eye strain, all while increasing contrast and brightening colors.
Randolph Engineering has several collections with a modern spin on aviators and similar frame styles. Most of the frame designs are named after iconic or inspirational pilots, such as Amelia (named after Amelia Earhart, who was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean) and Yeager (named after Charles Elwood Yeager, who was the first pilot to surpass the speed of sound while flying).
The metal frames are “jewelry-quality” with finishes in 22K gold and other premium materials. There are numerous gold finishes to perfectly coordinate with the desired lens tint. Randolph’s shades of gold include classic yellow, blush, champagne, chocolate, and white. There are countless combinations of frame finishes and tinted lenses, whether gradient, mirrored, or solid.
Weber Vision Care is an authorized Randolph Engineering retailer. Visit our optical to check out this stunning line of classic frames. A pair of Randolph sunglasses are a timeless piece that will never go out of style.
Check out Randolph’s video for more information!
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