In 1873, when fifteen-year-old Chester Greenwood was ice skating near his home in Farmington, Massachusetts, his ears kept getting cold. He thought, if he could keep his ears warm, skating would be more enjoyable. A scarf was too bulky and awkward.
Chester came up with a great idea. He had his grandmother sew fur onto wire that would fit around his head to cover his ears. Earmuffs were born.
Patent 188,292 was issued by the U.S. Patent Office to Chester Greenwood on March 13, 1877.
Click here to read more about this important advance in convenience and comfort when confronting cold weather.
Recent press coverage of Chester:
The New York Times: “The Revival of the Earmuff“
The Washington Post: “The story of the modern-day earmuff and its inventor, Chester Greenwood“
