Ear Muffs

By Dixie Allan, About.com Guide

It was on a cold March day in 1873 and Chester Greenwood was testing out a new pair of ice skates and Chester was freezing. The 15 year-old was getting frustrated because he couldn't keep his ears warm from the bitter cold. He tried wrapping a scarf around his head but it was too bulky and itchy. and he wondered who in the world can skate with a scarf tied around their head?

To solve his problem Chester made two ear shaped loops from wire and asked his grandmother to sew beaver fur and cloth on them. Over the years his new invention, the earmuff, improved. A steel band was added and it became adjustable and tiny hinges were added so it would fit in a pocket. Eventually Chester had his own factory, Greenwood's Ear Protector Factory ande made a fortune providing ear protectors to US soldiers during World War I.

The town of Farmington, Maine, where Chester was born, has an annual holiday to honor the inventor. December 21st is Chester Greenwood Day and people all over the State of Maine join in the celebration. Farmington has a parade on the first Saturday in December and everyone from kids to dogs show up wearing earmuffs. He might have invented over 100 products but Chester will always be remembered for inventing the earmuffs when he was 15.

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