Interesting Objects: The first pair of earmuffs
Ear muffs were invented by 18-year-old Chester Greenwood, whose own ears were, according to later testimony from his grandson, "big and cold"
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This weekend in 1877, 18-year-old Chester Greenwood proudly received US Patent #188292 for an item of apparel he'd invented some three years earlier: the 'ear-muffler'. Greenwood (whose own ears were, according to later testimony from his grandson, "big and cold") was to play a critical role in raising the average global temperature of the human ear in cold weather.
In late 1873, he went to skate on the pond in Abbott Park in his home town of Farmington, Maine, but became distressed by the wind chill factor and ran home. With the help of his grandmother, he constructed a makeshift pair of earmuffs out of wire and cloth before running back outside. Far from being on the receiving end of taunts from jeering pals, Greenwood found himself taking orders.
Over the next few months he made important refinements to his design, including hinges on each ear to stop them flapping about so much. When 'Greenwood's Champion Ear Protectors' were finally put on general sale, he stated confidently that "I believe perfection has been reached". While other ear warmers were patented during the 19th century (including WP Ware's 'ear, cheek and chin muff'and Isaac B Kleinert's 'ear slippers') it was Greenwood's invention that took off. US soldiers wore them during the First World War, and by 1936 his company was producing 400,000 pairs a year.
As each one needed to be hand-stitched, Greenwood initiated a work-from-home programme which, according to one local resident, "supported half of Franklin County". His other inventions (the 'advertising matchbox', the 'mechanical cat' and the 'wide-bottomed kettle') weren't such a hit, but his life is still celebrated every year in Farmington on 21 December – Chester Greenwood Day – when police cars and fire engines wear giant replica ear muffs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments