Earmuff Patent
National Earmuff Day is today! Earmuffs were patented by Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine, in 1877. He was fifteen years old when he invented the Champion Ear Protectors. He had his grandmother add some fur to the ends of a piece of wire. He received Patent Number 188,292. His invention became a factory, employing community members. Children can view the patent at: Earmuff Patent.
2007 Image of Uranus and Rings
Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781. The planet is actually a gas giant, composed of methane, helium and hydrogen. Its temperature hovers around -355 degrees Fahrenheit. Some scientists believe that despite the cold surface temperatures, a core about fifteen times the size of earth has a temperature of approximately 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It possesses at least five major moons, ten minor moons, and thirteen rings. Idea: Encourage children to try to develop some kind of transport that could land on the gas giant. They could learn more at: Uranus.
Not the First Uncle Sam but perhaps the most famous
“Uncle Sam” cartoon was published for the first time in 1852. Frank Bellew developed the political cartoon for The New York Lantern, a newspaper.
World Standard Time was accomplished in 1884. The International Meridian Conference met in Washington, DC. The group established the Prime Meridian through Greenwich and established 24 time zones. Prior to that conference, different countries used different times. In the United States, different railroads used different time systems. It was all very confusing! Children can find the time in different cities world wide at: World Clock.