Browline glasses aka Horn Rim are a style of eyeglass frames which were very popular during the 1950s, especially in the United States. The name derives from the fact that the bold upper part of the frames frame the lenses in the same way that eyebrows frame the eyes. Sometimes, the style is referred as “Clubman” frames.[citation needed] Ray-Ban “Clubmaster” sunglasses have Browline style frames. Read More after the jump!
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Browline glasses were invented in 1947 by Jack Rohrbach, then vice-president of Shuron Ltd., an eyeglass company.[1]. As of 2010, Shuron is still producing these frames, and is one of the few companies doing so.[2]
Browline glasses made up almost half of all the eyeglasses sold during the 1950s.[2]
Other Notable People that wear similar pair of glasses
Browline glasses have been worn by a variety of historic personalities and fictional characters. Below is a partial list, in alphabetical order by family name.
Colonel Sanders as pictured in the KFC logo
Frank Abagnale Jr., an U. S. security consultant best known for his history as a former con man (although, in the 2002 U. S. crime film Catch Me If You Can, the glasses are worn by the character Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks)
Noah Bennet, a character in the NBC television drama Heroes (aired 2006-2010), although most characters erroneously use the term horn-rimmed glasses
Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale, U. S. socialite, also known as “Big Edie” from the 1975 cinéma vérité documentary Grey Gardens
The Honorable Tommy Douglas, the Canadian social democratic politician (in office 1935-1979)
William Foster, also known as D-Fens, the main character of the 1993 crime-drama film Falling Down
Michel Foucault, the French philosopher, sociologist, and historian (born 1926, died 1984)
Noel Gallagher, guitarist in the band Oasis (active 1991–2009)
Kevin Costner, as played in the 1991 Oliver Stone film JFK, wears these glasses
Jeff Goldblum, an U. S. film actor who is an avid vintage frames enthusiast and who frequently wears Browlines in real life and film roles
Ralf Hütter of the electronic-music band Kraftwerk (active 1968–present)
Jiang Qing, first wife of communist Chinese dictator Mao Zedong (married 1939-1976) and leader of the “Gang of Four” during the Cultural Revolution of 1966–1976
Patrice Lumumba, Congolese independence leader and the first legally elected Prime Minister of the Congo after he helped win its independence from Belgium in 1960.
Morrissey, the English singer and songwriter (active 1982–present)
Lord Laurence Olivier, English actor, director, and producer for stage and film (active 1926–1988)
Mr. Orange, a character in the 1992 Quentin Tarantino film Reservoir Dogs, wears the Ray-Ban “Clubmaster” sunglasses
Dr. Spencer Reid, a character played by Matthew Gray Gubler in the CBS television police procedural drama Criminal Minds
Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of KFC/Kentucky Fried Chicken (1890–1980), and pictured in the KFC logo with his glasses
Calvin Webber, a character played by Christopher Walken in the 1999 romantic comedy film Blast from the Past
Edward Wilson, a character played by Matt Damon in the 2006 spy film The Good Shepherd
