Muff (handwarmer)
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A muff is a fashion accessory for outdoors usually made of a cylinder of
fur Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of mammals. It consists of a combination of oily guard hair on top and thick underfur beneath. The guard hair keeps moisture from reaching the skin; the underfur acts as an insulating blanket t ...
or
fabric Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not the ...
with both ends open for keeping the hands warm. It was introduced to women's fashion in the 16th century and was popular with both men and women in the 17th and 18th centuries. By the early 19th century, muffs were used in Europe only by women. It is also reported that the fashion largely fell out of style in the 19th century. It briefly returned in the mid-1940s, and in the 1960s was developed as a motorcycle accessory for attachment as rider-protection and comfort during the cooler months.


History

In Roman times, the place of the glove was taken by long sleeves (''manicae'') reaching to the hand, and in winter special sleeves of fur were worn. In Medieval Latin we find the word ''muffulae'', defined by Du Cange as ''chirothecae pellitae et hibernae'' ("leather winter gloves"). He quotes from a
cartulary A cartulary or chartulary (; Latin: ''cartularium'' or ''chartularium''), also called ''pancarta'' or ''codex diplomaticus'', is a medieval manuscript volume or roll (''rotulus'') containing transcriptions of original documents relating to the fo ...
of the year 817, of the issuing to monks of
sheepskin Sheepskin is the Hide (skin), hide of a Domestic sheep, sheep, sometimes also called lambskin. Unlike common leather, sheepskin is Tanning (leather), tanned with the Wool, fleece intact, as in a Fur, pelt.Delbridge, Arthur, "The Macquarie Dictiona ...
coverings to be used during the winter. These may have been, as the Roman certainly were, separate coverings for each hand, although the cartulary cited also distinguishes the glove for summer from the muffulae for winter wear. The
Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...
''moufle'' meant a thick glove or mitten, and from this the
Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...
''mof'', Walloon ''mouffe'', and thence
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...
"muff", are probably derived.


Modern usage

Handlebar muffs are a utility product for motorcycles and scooters to provide increased comfort in adverse weather conditions, to protect the rider from rain and wind chill. With UK commercial-availability in the early 1960s, they are still available in three variations from a UK merchandiser of motorcycle accessories, including dedicated-types for small motorscooters. Traditionally made from waterproof faux leather and lined for insulation, more-modern,
textile Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not the ...
-based materials are also used. When reviewing clothing and riding accessories in a 1966 feature entitled "Tough Weather Gear" for the weekly journal ''Motor Cycle'', regular journalist John Ebbrell described the muffs as:
Ugly as sin they may be—but there's nothing more cosier to the fingertips than a pair of handlebar muffs...Material is waterproof plasticized fabric, lined. Fitted in a jiffy, the muffs are sold through Pride and Clarke's and cost 17s 6d.
Writing at his website in December 2010, American motorcycle design innovator
Craig Vetter Craig Vetter (born July 28, 1942 in Selma, Alabama) is an American entrepreneur and motorcycle designer. His work was acknowledged when in 1999 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. His Vetter Fairing Company created aftermarket ...
claimed to have "created and developed" from 1971 what he called ''Hippo Hands'', later sold to the public from 1973 by the Vetter organisation.''Motorcycle Sport'', March 1981, p.159 (pp.146-149, 159). Ninety Eight Point Four: Keeping warm on a motorcycle in winter. ''"A more refined (perhaps the best) handlebar muff is the Hippo-Hands, available from CTA, Unit 30E, 142A Virginia Street, Southport, Lancashire''". Accessed 6 April 2020 These were very similar to a product that was easily available to UK motorcyclists from retail shops/mail order outlets from 1957,''
The Motor Cycle ''The Motor Cycle'' was one of the first British magazines about motorcycles. Launched by Iliffe and Sons Ltd in 1903, its blue cover led to it being called "The Blue 'un" to help distinguish it from its rival publication ''Motor Cycling (maga ...
'', 7 March 1957, p.35. ''Claude Rye'' part-page advert ''NEW HANDLEBAR MUFFS Superior black waterproof leathercloth Handlebar Muffs, lined fleece, keep hands warm and dry. Pair 10/6. Deluxe pair 11/9, Post & Pkg. 1/6 M.P.C. Plastic 29/11 pair. P & P. 2/-.'' Accessed 12 September 2019
with the description ''handlebar muffs''.''
The Motor Cycle ''The Motor Cycle'' was one of the first British magazines about motorcycles. Launched by Iliffe and Sons Ltd in 1903, its blue cover led to it being called "The Blue 'un" to help distinguish it from its rival publication ''Motor Cycling (maga ...
'', 4 October 1962, ''Pride and Clarke'' single-page advert ''Special Offer - Handlebar muffs 12/6, postage 2/6'', p.31 Accessed 1 December 2017
''Motor Cycle'', 4 November 1965, ''Pride and Clarke'' double-page advert, ''Handlebar muffs 17/6, postage 3/0'', p.18 Accessed 1 December 2017''Muffs''
Oxford Products, Retrieved 1 December 2017
''Motorcycle Sport'', March 1981, p.149 (pp.146-149), 159. Ninety Eight Point Four: Keeping warm on a motorcycle in winter. Accessed 6 April 2020


References


Bibliography

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External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Muff (Handwarmer) Fashion accessories Fur Armwear Winter clothes Handwear