In 1979, Dennis Burns, founder of Gargoyles, revolutionized an entire industry with the invention of Toric lens technology. Dennis noticed that flat sunglasses left the eyes more exposed to the elements, and that curved lenses of the time were causing visual distortion and stress on the eyes. His state-of-the-art innovation became the basis of a brand: Gargoyles Performance Eyewear. The lens technology was so good in fact, it was used by the U.S. Army for ballistic protection.