History of the Wiley X Brand
The History of the Wiley X Brand
Founded in 1987, Wiley X has become an iconic American brand and the most trusted name for protective eyewear. Wiley X is a second-generation, family-owned American business that continues to build on a legacy of creating innovative eyewear products without compromising on protection. Recently, co-owner Myles Freeman Jr. sat down with Shawn Dalrymple from the Force-on-Force podcast for a chat regarding the company's heritage and history.
Military Inspired
SD: So, Myles, introduce yourself, your family, your brother and your dad and everything and everything you guys do.
MF: Hey, Shawn. First of all, thanks for your service and thanks so much for having me on. Yeah, Wiley X has a very storied history. We opened our doors in 1987, so roughly 37 years ago. My dad, whose name was also Myles, saw a classified ad in a newspaper about a very small eyewear company operating out of South San Francisco called Protective Optics. He decided to go check it out, and they were operating out of the basement of a real estate office if you can believe that.
Our dad proudly served in the Army and remembered how poorly the goggles issued to him at the time performed. He told my brother and me that he saw this as an opportunity to maybe manufacture something better for the armed forces. Protective Optics was already selling some shooting glasses in an aviator style, and the rest, as you say, is history.
Quality is Never Compromised
SD: You're talking about quality eyewear for the military, and your dad saw the need for it. Can you speak more about how your guys view quality?
MF: He wanted to build a quality product if you know it from that perspective. And so, I think that's just really a testament to his dedication from his time in service to what he wanted to do."
We take great pride in building a product that lasts for years. And we're known for our durability and how we separate ourselves from the pack."
Surviving the Early Days
SD: I'm sure that your dad and you guys early on, you guys had some challenges along the way. What were some of those challenges, you know, out there, you know, building this to the brand?
MF: Yeah, it's a great question. Look, we knew we had to branch out that we couldn't put all our eggs in one basket. There was a time when I remember my brother and I sitting in my office discussing the next steps and how we would separate ourselves from the pack, quite frankly.
First, we had to change our name, as Protective Optics wasn't going to cut it. Then, a few years later, when sales sort of leveled off, I would have to say we had an epiphany. We decided we needed to do something that no other eyewear company had done. So, we decided to become the first brand whose entire line would exceed occupational safety standards.
And I mean, from top to bottom. And although, you know, it was scary at first, I'm glad we did it. Imagine trying to make safety cool and selling it into the optical market, performance-related stores, extreme sports stores, outdoor stores; you name it."
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To hear more about the legacy of WileyX, listen to our recent interview with Force on Force TOC Podcast — The Legacy of WileyX: Military-Grade Eyewear and Unwavering Commitment (EP 21).
Our commitment to protecting others goes beyond our products. For more information on how WileyX is making a difference in our community, visit our Giving Back page.
Force on Force TOC Podcast: The Legacy of WileyX: Military-Grade Eyewear and Unwavering Commitment EP21 on Apple Podcasts
Show Force on Force TOC Podcast, Ep The Legacy of WileyX: Military-Grade Eyewear and Unwavering Commitment EP21 - Jul 1, 2024
