Made in America: David Muir models Randolph Engineering shades US fighter pilots use
If it's good enough for our fighter pilots, it's good enough for David Muir's Made in America Christmas.
Randolph Engineering, founded in 1973, is family-owned and operated in Randolph, Massachusetts -- and they've been making sunglasses for U.S. fighter pilots since 1978.
"World News Tonight" anchor and managing editor Muir traveled to Manhattan Grand Optical to try on the American-made shades worn by those pilots, who reach speeds of 1,500 miles per hour.
And it's not just fighter pilots sporting the shades -- it's Robert Redford in "Spy Game," Jon Hamm in "Mad Men" and Tom Cruise in "Oblivion."
Committed to manufacturing in the U.S., each frame is crafted from corrosion-resistant metal alloys, including Monel and stainless steel. It takes 200 individual steps to build each pair of frames by hand in their Massachusetts factory.
The company was first profiled in the annual "World News Tonight" series in September 2014. Since then, it's grown to 80 employees and its product is sold all over the country.
Before starting the business, it started with an idea from a man hoping to make the American dream a reality.
Jan Waszkiewicz was a master machinist living in Poland. He fought in World War II as a navigator flying bombers for the British Air Force.
With only $50 and some kitchen utensils, Waszkiewicz, his wife and son Peter immigrated to the U.S. and planted roots in the Bay State.
Wanting to flex his mechanical mind's muscles, Waszkiewicz worked on making frames in his basement. Fast forward to 1973, and Randolph Engineering was born, making tools and machines for the optical manufacturing industry.
