Edbeard

The Edbeard was a beard Ed wore on his face for a period of three years. It's tenure was brief but it's impact upon the public consciousness cannot be overstated.
=== Origins ===
Historians have concluded that the Edbeard started life during the Covid-19 lockdown of early 2020; Ed and his friends had collectively agreed to grow majestic beards for the full duration of the lockdown, labouring under the mistaken assumption that the lockdown would be lifted shortly. 
Fate would have other plans however; upon meeting up with his friends for a trademark Ed fishing session some time later, Ed would discover that he in fact was the only person who had the drive to commit to cultivating the Edbeard. His friends citing itchiness and discomfort as to why they had remained clean-shaven, Ed remained resolute and stood proud as a trendsetter in follicular horticulture. 
=== Cultural Impact ===
Audiences at the time received the beard with universal acclaim, citing its subtlety and effectiveness at framing the Edface. The Edbeard would become a defining feature of Ed, lending him a sense of gravitas and maturity while being a talking point among the locals of Dayton. Despite a brief tenure, the Edbeard has been recorded for posterity in many contemporary artpieces, becoming a cultural keystone of the early 2020s.
=== Demise ===
Ed would retain the Edbeard in both public and private appearances until the fateful day of 2 June, 2023, when it was forcibly shaved off by Ed in the interest of looking professional for a job interview. While this decision has been hotly debated by Edhistorians of subsequent generations, it cannot be denied that this would prove to be a fundamental factor in securing him the job. The religious beliefs of his new employer mandated that he remain clean-shaven however and it seemed that the era of the Edbeard had come to an end, bringing an end to an era associated with prosperity and optimism.
=== Re-emergence ===
However, an unexpected development occurred during the Edtrip to Toronto in May 2024 when Ed met some of the strange people who live inside his computer. Reports of Edbeard sightings were recorded, suggesting that it had risen from the ashes (or follicles) much like the proverbial phoenix. However since the Toronto trip, the Edbeard has not been seen since suggesting that its resurrection was merely a temporary one.