C


hester Greenwood had a


problem. Winters were cold where he lived. His ears oſten felt cold. Other kids wrapped wool scarves


around their heads. Wool made him itch. One cold day, he had an idea. He twisted a wire into two loops.


His grandmother sewed fur over the loops. He added a spring. Te spring held the new earmuffs on his head. Finally, his ears were warm! He


called his invention “Champion Ear Protectors.” Soon everyone wanted a pair just like them.


Trying Something New At the time, Greenwood was 15 years old. Tat’s not too young to be an inventor. Anyone can be an inventor. An inventor makes something new.


It can be an object. It can be a way of doing something. It can even be an idea. Every invention has an inventor. Some inventions change the world. Let’s take a look at a few of them.


Catching fish is easier with a fishhoook.


Simple and Complex Some inventions are simple. No one remembers who invented the fishhook. Te earliest hooks were carved from shell. Some were made from bone or wood. Today most fishhooks are made


from wire. No matter what they are made of, all fishhooks look the same. Other inventions are a little more


complex. Take the traffic light, for example. At one time, many people, horses, cars, and bicycles shared the streets. Crossing the street could be dangerous. So Garret Morgan invented the


traffic light. It had two signs. Te signs moved up and down. One sign said, “Stop.” Te other said, “Go.” People learned to obey the signs. Tat helped everyone move safely.


12 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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