The Origin Story

Having ridden and raced motorcycles since I was a kid, I had certain pet peeves about regular sunglasses I used for riding. Later on, through building them, I discovered an old pair of shop glasses and eventually started wearing those while riding because they cut the side glare, kept out bugs and road debris, but you didn’t lose your peripheral vision. They also had bendable tips, so they would never slip or fly off. The only problem with them was that they were clunky looking, and I knew I could improve on the quality and style and by adding great lenses, making them the safest and coolest looking eyewear possible for motorcycle riding. 

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Vulgaris mc pays homage to a short-lived and almost forgotten era of American ingenuity and exceptionalism from the 1900s through the late 1920s. Where young men by the hundreds were engaged in a race to develop the first motor-driven bicycles in their barns and basements. Shortly thereafter brave young boys jumped at the chance to ride, and race these unproven machines. As a result fans and racers alike were often injured and killed, due to the fact that these early motorcycles had no brakes and insufficient tires for the speeds they were reaching. Speeds that were in excess of 100 mph, at a time where the average car had a top speed of 25.

 

The new motorcycle creations needed a place to be displayed and put to the test, and thus the motordrome was born. Made of wood and gigantic in size, the arena was reminiscent of the Roman coliseum where fans and spectators could cheer for their favorite sportsmen. They were instantly popular and very exciting places to watch the new sport first hand until the death and injury count quickly began to climb and the papers of the day started calling them Murderdromes. It wasn’t long after that, that promoters pulled sponsorship and the tracks fell further into disrepair and were eventually dismantled. There is a great book with original prints of this exciting time called The Speed Kings, by Don Emde that I urge everyone to pick up.

 

Vulgaris mc is an authentic eyewear company, like the first motorcycles, were born straight out of the barn. They were born out of necessity and desire. Through dedication and perseverance, we are happy to bring you the most functional and fashionable heirloom eyewear in the world.

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Welcome to the Vulgaris mc family!