Randolph Engineering (50)

Randolph builds eyewear for anyone who expects better. For the individualists, the singular, the uncommon. For those with a spirit that’s hard to define and a story that needs to be told.

Former Royal Air Force navigator Jan Waszkiewicz and machinist Stanley Zaleski both immigrated to America with a few bucks and a dream: to build the world’s best sunglass. With a background in engineering and some serious hand skills, they built a proprietary solder machine unlike any other. They patented a 200-step process. They created nearly indestructible frame joints, all with materials sourced in the U.S. In 1973, they opened the doors to their factory in a small town called Randolph, just outside of Boston, MA.

Built to military standards.

They wanted to make a difference. Leave a mark. Be proud of something. So in 1978, they joined forces with the U.S. military to produce the HGU-4/P Aviator for fighter pilots. Each Aviator is built to strict guidelines of MIL-S-25948 standards, a 20-page document detailing the most complex manufacturing specs around.

Today, Randolph is still family-owned and -operated. And are still handcrafting the finest eyewear with top-grade materials, classic designs and a relentless attention to detail and quality. But what’s different about Randolph? All the other eyewear manufactures have gone overseas. Randolph decided to stay there.

Hand assembled in more than 200 steps

They start with top-grade materials. Then 50 different people cut, mold, stamp, twist, solder, plate and polish in a six-week process that includes more than 200 steps. Mostly by hand. All to produce just one pair of sunglasses. With specifications precise enough to meet the promise of our founders and the demands the world’s toughest critics: the U.S. Department of Defense, pilots, naval aviators, astronauts and YOU.