Oakley, Inc. is an eyewear company making sunglasses, sports visors and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football and hockey eyewear, and other accessories.
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 hi...
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Oakley, Inc. is an eyewear company making sunglasses, sports visors and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football and hockey eyewear, and other accessories.
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 riders had seen at the time. The material used to make the grips was called "Unobtanium," a unique creation by Jannard that would get a tacky grip to it when it would become wet, rather than slipping out of the riders hand. Unobtanium 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...
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