Earmuffs on, shhhh!

Chester Greenwood's 1877 patent for "ear-mufflers" and inset, Greenwood modeling his earmuffs

Historical Context

Chester Greenwood invented earmuffs aged just 15 in 1873 while growing up in Maine. He reportedly made his first pair from farm wire and asked his grandmother to sew beaver fur onto the loops around the ears. He later made a metal band to connect the two ear pieces.

In 1877 after further testing of designs Chester applied for and was granted US patent No. 188,292. Seeing a local need, especially in snowy Maine, he set up Greenwood’s Ear Protector Factory in Framington and the town became known as the Earmuff Capital of the World going on to supply troops during WWI.