Maine winters aren’t for the faint of heart, and neither was 15-year-old Chester Greenwood of Farmington. Back in 1873, tired of freezing ears while ice skating, Chester decided to invent a solution.
Using wire loops and soft fur sewn by his grandmother, he crafted the very first earmuffs — a simple, practical idea that became a Maine classic. By 1877, he had patented his “improved ear-muffler” design, eventually creating a small business producing them for the whole state.
Today, Chester Greenwood Day is celebrated every December in Farmington with parades and community events, honoring the ingenuity and creativity of this young Mainer.
Fun fact: these cozy inventions not only keep your ears warm—they make surprisingly clever Secret Santa gifts
Leave it to a Maine teenager to look winter straight in the eye and say, “Nope, not today.” Chester Greenwood’s brilliant answer to frozen ears became the iconic earmuff – and a fun reminder that ingenuity thrives here as much as snowbanks do.
And when you need savvy help buying or selling, consider us your built-in winter accessory – making everything a whole lot cozier.
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About the Author: Michael
