Nastek ･ Brand history

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

NASTEK lens technology is rooted in the scientific advances made during WWII, which included jet aircraft, computers, radar, ballistic missiles and aerial reconnaissance photography.

1948

Cascade Optical Laboratory (Portland, OR) was founded by Van D. Brock. At that time, lenses were manufactured from glass. Over the following decades, the industry slowly moved from glass lenses to lenses made of CR-39 (Columbia Resin).

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1975

Cascade Optical joined with Paramount Optical to create a mega Opti-Craft laboratory, one of the plastic lens pioneers. The high-end frame business for the lab became Optical Sales (OS) Corporation (established 1975, Van Brock CEO). Robert Brock assumed leadership of Optical Sales in 1993.

1990 - 1993

The first NASA Space Act Agreement transferred optical technology to Dr. Robert Brock.

NASA research into lens and filter science was not limited to optics used in the optical industry to make sunglasses and prescription lenses. NASA’s approach was science-based and designed to expand knowledge of light, radiation and the way humans sense both visual and non-visual energy.

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1994

Brian Huberty and Robert Brock formed Aerial Image Technology. AIT was awarded aerial photography contracts for most agricultural land in Oregon and Washington.

AIT expanded NASA's visual range of aerial image video recording capabilities to include infrared, UV and other electromagnetic energy radiation frequencies beyond the visual range.

The challenges for aerial and satellite cameras included:

- being able to see through clouds and smog,

- differentiating between vegetation and real objects,

- seeing beyond the human visual range by using infrared, UV and thermal sensitive film,

- provide high resolution to identify small objects on the ground.

Brian Huberty and Robert J. Brock standing in front of the U-2 aircraft at NASA Ames.

Robert J. Brock standing under the SR71 Blackbird, the fastest and highest flying jet aircraft.

1995

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NASA Briefs published an article featuring new lens/filter technology from Dr. Len Haslim at NASA Ames. NASA’s research went far beyond filter development, to include a better understanding of energy, visual and non-visual sensors in human vision plus insight into how light functions at a molecular level.

Huberty and Brock convinced NASA decision makers that OS was well positioned to commercialize NASA optical lens/filter technology. In fact, OS operated a multi-spectral remote sensing business (AIT), a lens/filter laboratory (AOT), and operated a major optical distributorship (OS) with extensive frame/lens experience.

1995

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After being awarded the NASA Space Act Agreement, OS was awarded a Small Business Innovative Research Grant (SBIR) from the US Department of Agriculture to test real time plant stress detection lenses. OS created a neon purple lens that proved the concept of NASA plant stress detection glasses. Brock created a new division, named NASTEK, to manufacture and market the NASA scientific agricultural lenses.

NASTEK Plant Stress Detection (PST) glasses were successful. They granted growers and turf managers the ability to see and treat invisible plant disease and other problems before they spread. Foresters could see disease and infestations of insects in a single tree before it got out of control.

Official photograph of Dr. Haslim with NASTEK Classic 6181 sunglasses and NASTEK neon purple PST scientific glasses at NASA Ames Research Center.

1995 - 1996

NASTEK took the best designs to create sunglasses that were likely to succeed and last 25 years. The result was the classic NASTEK 6181 sunglasses, with great attention to details, mounting the scratch resistant Polycarbonate "Flame Copper" lenses.

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NASTEK discovered a unique process to neutralize harmful High Energy Blue Light inside NASTEK lenses by using secret compounds and proprietary Titanium dioxide multiple coatings. The Titanium coating is anti-reflective and isolates harmful frequencies before they go through the lenses.

Then rare-earth compounds inside the lenses absorb harmful wavelengths and enhance vision similarly to NASTEK Original sunglass lenses. The NASTEK technological breakthrough is that the lenses are clear, with just the slightest flame copper color.

today

NASTEK partnered with great ski goggle and sunglass companies who desired cutting-edge technology for their lenses, in order to make their products the best in their industry. Those companies who pioneered NASTEK lenses used NASTEK advanced lenses (along with great style and fashion products) to set themselves apart from the brands who built their businesses solely on advertising, brand name recognition and endorsements.