In 1965 Robert Smith—an orthodontist by day and hardcore skier whenever he could get out of the office—changed the goggle game forever when he invented the first double-paned, foam-insulated lens. His new lens protected the inner layer from cold and resulted in a fog-free day on the mountain no matter the temperature changes. Since that dental tool-assisted innovation almost 50 years ago, Smith Optics continues …
Some 60 years ago the Golden State saw a golden era for surfing and climbing. Offering a spot-on retrospective look at the period of innovation spanning from 1948 to late 1958, newly published “California Surfing and Climbing in the Fifties” is full of epic imagery and insightful words by the likes of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, climbing pioneer Steve Roper and Steve Pezman, founder of …
Bill Amos was working as a climbing instructor, substitute teacher and ski patroller when he became frustrated with the quality and utility of commercially available climbing apparel. As outdoor companies began catering to a more diverse audience, their clothing lines gradually became more fashion-oriented, rather than being suited to harsh alpine environments. Amos envisioned a simple and functional apparel line for people who were actually …
