A Chicago Original: The Whimsical World of Benjamin Greenfield, “Bes Ben” Benjamin Benedict Greenfield, known to the world as Bes Ben, was more than just a milliner; he was a cultural phenomenon, a bon vivant who infused post-war Chicago with a playful spirit and an unparalleled sense of sartorial whimsy. Born in 1898, Greenfield’s life unfolded against a backdrop of rapid social change, artistic innovation, and the burgeoning American Dream. He wasn't simply designing hats; he was crafting miniature worlds atop people’s heads, reflections of his own exuberant personality and the evolving ze…