Greenwood, Farmington's most celebrated resident, came up with the idea while ice skating at age 15. Or rather he came up with the idea after having skated fiercly and being frozen to a lake with his left ear. He decided to make ear shaped loops of wire, and had his grandmother sew rabbit fur to them, creating the world's first earmuffs. Greenwood patented an improved version using metal bands ("Improvement in Ear Mufflers" US Patent No 188,292 March 13, 1887), and manufactured them as Greenwood's Champion Ear Protectors. The following text was extracted from Greenwood's grandmother, when rumors on the true nature of the invention started to circulate.

Supposedly, Farmington invented the rather ridiculous looking contraption after he fell on the ice. Having almost mastered the pirouette and attempting the final attack on this manouver, he banged his left ear against the frozen floor. That day it had been an especially harsh winter morning. Combined with the persperation accumulated on Chester's ear and the extremely low temperature the fall became an even more alarming predicament. For a full half hour was he stuck to the ice and only after a softly giggling farmer poured some hot steaming water over his head did he manage to tear free. At this point his ear was both frozen and thoroughly boiled. Being of a sensitive constitution he swore never to be in this situation again whilst practicing stylish ice skating patterns. Of course he would never give up his skating, not even for frozen boiled ears Hence the ear muffs, which have the added benefit that they also keep your ears warm when you're not stuck to the ice.