The hand and foot warmer was first patented by Jonathan T. Ellis of New Jersey in 1891, though no evidence exists that it was ever produced.
The first commercially produced hand warmer was created by Japanese inventor Niichi Matoba. Matoba received a patent for applying the principle of an oxidation reaction that produces heat by means of platinum catalysis. He then devoted his time to researching how to make the product suitable for practical use. In 1923, he manufactured a prototype of his device naming it HAKUKIN-kairo (HAKKIN warmer). A version of these original portable hand warmers is still produced in Japan.
Air-activated hand warmers contain cellulose, iron, activated carbon, vermiculite (which holds water) and salt and produce heat from the exothermic oxidation of iron when exposed to air. They typically emit heat for 1 to 10 hours, it usually takes 15–30 minutes to start to heat up, although the heat given off rapidly diminishes after 1–2 hours. The oxygen molecules in the air react with iron, forming rust. Salt is often added to catalyze the process.
The kind I use are Hothands Hand Warmers. I get them at amazon.com. I love them in my jacket or bathrobe pockets!
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (3- to 3-1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- Preheat oven to 400º. In a 9- x 13-inch baking dish, place 1 stick melted butter.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the honey, and lemon juice; mix well and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, combine flour, paprika, salt, and pepper; mix well. Dip chicken in flour mixture, coating completely. Place coated chicken into baking dish with butter, coating completely on both sides. Place skin side down in baking dish.
- Bake 35 minutes then remove from oven and turn chicken over. Spoon honey mixture over chicken, then bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Spoon pan drippings over the chicken and serve.
1921 – Rodney Dangerfield, American comedian (d. 2004)
1924 – Geraldine Page, American actress (d. 1987)
1932 – Robert Vaughn, American actor (d.2016)
1943 – Billie Jean King, American tennis player
1958 – Jamie Lee Curtis, American actress
1961 – Mariel Hemingway, American actress
- Use it as a marinade for pork, chicken or beef
- Add it to barbecue sauce and pour it over meatballs
- Mix it into a batch of muffins for breakfast
- Stir it into cream cheese and add it to your morning bagel