Ah yes, my favorite winter warm gear -- earmuffs -- were patented on this date in 1887.

According to Answers.com, Chester Greenwood got a patent for earmuffs -- sewn fur on metal bands -- calling them "Greenwood's Champion Ear Protectors."

Greenwood never finished elementary school, but he had more than 100 patents and is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as one of America's 15 outstanding inventors.

His hometown of Farmington, ME, is the Earmuff Capital of the World; they celebrate Greenwood's birthday on the first Saturday in December with a parade, with cars, cows and pets decorated with giant earmuffs.

Yeah Chester!

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