Chester Greenwood

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Chester Greenwood (1858-1937) of Farmington, Maine is the inventor of the earmuff.

Chester Greenwood invented the earmuff in 1873, at the age of 15. He reportedly came up with the idea while ice skating, and had his grandmother sew tufts of fur between loops of wire.

Greenwood patented an improved version using metal bands ("Improvement in Ear Mufflers")

Greenwood patented over 100 inventions in his life, including the spring steel rake wide bottom whistling kettle,and the mechanical mousetrap, and is acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution as one of America's 15 Outstanding Inventors.

In addition to being an inventor, Greenwood was the owner of a bicycle business and was involved in the introduction of the first telephone system in Farmington.

In 1977 the State of Maine declared December 21 to be Chester Greenwood Day. Farmington ME celebrates with a parade on the first Saturday of December.