Ski goggle pioneer Bob Smith dies at 78

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Park Rat

Social climber

CA, UT,CT,FL

Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 28, 2012 - 07:46am PT

I loved my Smith goggles, got them at Alta lodge in 1971. My first season working at Rustler Lodge.

RIP Bob Smith.

KETCHUM, Idaho (AP) — Robert Earl "Bob" Smith, an orthodontist whose passion for skiing deep powder snow helped turn him into a goggle and sunglasses pioneer, has died of complications related to heart surgery.

Smith's family confirmed his April 18 death in California. He was 78.
Born in San Carlos, Calif., Smith went on to graduate from Stanford University and the San Francisco College of Dentistry.

Smith served as a dentist in the U.S. Army in Germany in the late 1950s. While there, he traveled to Kitzbuehel ski area every weekend, stoking his passion for the sport.

After enduring frustrating goggle-fogging experiences while skiing in Utah, Smith in the 1960s began developing prototypes for an advanced pair of goggles to solve the problem. Smith sat at the kitchen table with his wife Jean, using dental tools and foam to create a double-lensed, vented ski goggle whose inner lens was protected from the cold.

"The goggle really just came out of his need to see while skiing deep powder," his son Drew Smith told the Idaho Mountain Express (http://bit.ly/InsEWq ). "Everyone else just got to benefit from it."

He patented his invention, which is now considered the industry standard.
Smith founded Smith Sport Optics in 1965 and established its headquarters in Ketchum, Idaho, in the early 1970s. Before he struck a deal to manufacture Smith goggles, however, he often would trade his goggles for lift tickets.

He sold the company in 1991.
Smith Optics Inc. sells its products in 50 countries and reports having a 45 percent share of the ski and snowboard goggle market in North America, making it the top manufacturer.

"He wanted everyone to share in his advancements," Drew Smith said about his father in an interview with the newspaper. "The technology allowed other people to do what he did, which was to ski deep powder.

SCseagoat

Trad climber

Santa Cruz

Apr 28, 2012 - 12:10pm PT

I wonder if he died with his goggles on?

Actually I've had many Smiths over the years. Great goggles.

Great legacy for his family.....RIP

Susan

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Apr 28, 2012 - 12:19pm PT

I was an old Carrera man in the early 70's, always doing that Carrera 2-handed-pump you see the racers do at the top of the run. I got some Smiths for a Xmas present from my racing coach sister and my next trip to Snowbird and Alta were so much nicer. Also, the polarized lens was really superior for those flat light days at Crested Butte. I could actually see those little short ski bumps that were jarring my teeth out on my 207's.

zBrown

Ice climber

Chula Vista, CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 12:31pm PT

Funny thing my first pair was a Smith model. Also, in Utah, Park City as I recall, it was a very cold day. They were kinda plain, like these.

Klimmer

Mountain climber

San Diego

Apr 28, 2012 - 01:19pm PT

I've had many Smith goggles over the years, and currently have a pair now.

RIP Mr. Smith and don't ski out all the fresh powder on the other side. Save some.

johngenx

climber

Apr 28, 2012 - 02:20pm PT

Love my I/O goggles. I know Smith sold the company years ago, but I'll raise my glass to the guy for making things better.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Apr 28, 2012 - 02:40pm PT

Who hasn't owned a few pairs of Smith Goggles over the years. They always worked great for me. I even owned some before he sold the company.

Had heard the story a few times before. Sounds like a life well lived.

I'll raise a glass too!