10/09/2024
The OAO: A Retro-SPEC-tive Look
While the first Society of dispensing Opticians was not proposed in Ohio until 1951, the history and influence of Ohio opticians began long before.
At a meeting of lab owners in Pittsburgh in 1929, a prominent Columbus lab owner pointed out what he referred to as a serious problem. “Who is your real competitor? Not your fellow jobber who is soliciting business on a legitimate basis! Your real competitor is the automobile industry, the radio industry, the clothing industry. Today we have a one-style market- the white gold frame. The patient buys it because the retailer says it is the latest. He wears it morning, noon and night, not for 6 months or a year, but very likely many years”. The society was sold on the concept of an organization meant to carry the eye care message to the public and on April 25th, 1929, the Better Vision Institute was born.
A one style market. I can’t imagine anything further from the truth in our current world. While our industry is constantly changing, some things remain the same. We are still here carrying our eye care message and expertise to the public and fighting hard to maintain our professional rights.
Following these advancements, in 1951 Ohio, Preston Saddler recruited Edward Novak, Frank Wunderley, and about 20 others to form the Society of Dispensing Opticians, which became incorporated in 1953.
Shortly after, the society became chartered by Preston Saddler and his attorney. Legend has it this was at no cost!
While we may feel as though our professional and licensure problems are modern, the Society of Dispensing Opticians has been passionately fighting this fight since 1955.
Over the years, several bills were introduced but never made it out of committee. Once, in 1956, because the presenting legislator was late to the meeting due to car trouble.
That same year, Roy Miller was elected president and started a group in Toledo that became very active. Roy started a newsletter and sent it to every optician he could find. Imagine how he would feel seeing how these newsletters have changed and grown.
We have these Opticians and the countless others before us, to thank for where we are now and how we will continue to grow. While fashion and optical needs change, our passion for this profession ceases to fade. The Opticians Association of Ohio will continue to work tirelessly for you and all opticians.