My friend Dylan Padgett and I were on a recent goose hunting trip in Clinton County. The temperature hovered somewhere between frigid and downright cold.
“Check this out John,” he said.
In the palm of his hand, he held a small electronic device. After inspecting it for a moment, I still wasn’t exactly sure what it was. “It’s a rechargeable hand warmer,” he said. Pushing the small button the comforting warmth was almost immediate. And who couldn’t have used a little extra heat after the recent extreme temperatures?
I have always believed there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. It’s easy to keep a person’s feet and core warm, but your hands are a different story. Sure, there are gloves that can keep your digits cozy, but many times they have to be removed to do tasks that require some dexterity, like loading a shotgun or using a cell phone to name a few.
After getting decoys set and the blind brushed in everyone took their place. Padgett pushed the button on the two hand warmers then passed them around for the others to inspect.
“These are pretty cool,” said Dennis Freidline. “Heck I remember back in the day they made hand warmers that actually had a small, smoldering flame housed in them,” Freidline recalled. “I do too,” I added.
Hand warmers have come a long way from their ancient origins to modern day innovations. Rudimentary hand warmers were originally created using heated stones wrapped in animal skins. There is no doubt these early versions were used to alleviate the sting and discomfort of cold hands and fingers.
During the 19th century, advancements in technology and materials began the hand warmer transformation. The development of the pocket stove utilized small pieces of coal or charcoal to generate heat. They were primarily used by adventurers and soldiers who operated in frigid conditions.
Through the years, the gradual progression of technology began to reshape the evolution of these pocket-sized warmers.
The next step was a version of what looked like a huge cigarette lighter made by the Zippo Corporation. You would fill it with lighter fluid then light the wick and cover it with the cap riddled with holes to let the heat escape. Although they were effective, there were some drawbacks. They emitted an odor, which isn’t conducive to some big game hunting situations. Since technically there was a smoldering flame in your pocket, they could be dangerous. There was a possibility of catching something on fire — like your clothing!
Then the development of solid fuel sticks came on the market. These sticks were lit and placed in a small fireproof case. Although they were considered a bit safer, you still had a solid fuel stick smoldering in your pocket and the odor to deal with.
As innovation continued, the creation of chemical hand warmers marked a considerable advancement. Self-contained in a plastic pouch, they housed a mix of iron powder, salt and activated charcoal. When mixed together the chemicals reacted creating welcome warmth that would last for several hours. This new technology eliminated the need for external fuel sources and were much safer while providing no smell. They were also the most simple and convenient to use.
Then, hand warmers progressed again with the creation of disposable heat packets most notably called Hot Hands. These versions contained iron powder, salt and vermiculite in a small plastic pouch. Instead of mixing, all you had to do was open the outer packaging and expose it to air for the chemical reaction to take place. Because of their affordability, ease of use and wide availability, many are still used today.
Now it seems hand warmers are again being upgraded through the use of emerging innovations. Features like rechargeable batteries, individual temperature control, monitoring and connectivity to smart phone apps allow users to monitor the hand warmer’s performance. As we become more environmentally conscious, these new versions provide no waste.
Hand warmers have a rich history in design and use and can make outdoor activities in frigid climates more comfortable. After all, nothing is fun when your hands are freezing.
It’s going to be interesting to see where the development of these small heaters go in the next several years. As the demand for comforting warmth in freezing weather continues to grow hand warmers will continue to expand in use.
Although there have been several occasions where I refute advanced technologies, new electronic warmers are one I welcome with, well, open hands.
