celebrating canada: 150 great ideas - home - lg · 2017-01-03 · before charles fennerty invented...

Celebrating Canada: 150 Great Ideas And the innovative Canadians

who created them

The Toboggan

First Nations People from the Canadian sub-arctic created the first toboggans as a way to carry people and large loads over the snow.

Tobogganing became a popular pass-time beginning in the late 1800’s. It has since become a rite of passage for young Canadians and a source of winter fun for people of all ages.

Celebrating Canada: 150 Great Ideas and the Innovative Canadians Who Created Them

Petroleum Jelly


Long before Vaseline became a common household brand, First Nations people made their own petroleum jelly from natural materials.

It was used to condition animal hides and soften human skin.

Snowshoes

Many kinds of snowshoes were developed by First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. A common style was made from spruce and rawhide thongs.


The Birchbark Canoe

First Nations people recognized that birchbark was an ideal material for canoe construction.

They took the smooth, hard, light, resilient and waterproof material and created the iconic craft to navigate Canadian waters.


Lacrosse

Lacrosse has been played by Canada’s First Nation peoples for centuries, particularly in Southern Ontario and Quebec.

It was codified by Montréal’s William George Beers in 1860 and declared Canada’s official summer sport in 1994.


MacIntosh Apples


In 1811, Ontario farmer John McIntosh developed Canada’s iconic red apple.

The crisp, sweet treat has become a popular variety around the world.

The Fog Horn

Robert Foulis was walking toward his home in Halifax one foggy day in 1835 when he heard the sound of his daughter playing piano. He was struck by how well the lower notes travelled through the air.

That observation led the Scottish immigrant to develop the fog horn.


Kerosene

In 1846, Halifax native Abraham Gesner developed a process for distilling coal oil from solid hydrocarbons.

His invention, which he called kerosene, was an important step forward in lighting homes and powering industry.


Newsprint

Newsprint was first manufactured in Upper Sackville, Nova Scotia in the 1840’s.

Before Charles Fennerty invented the process using wood pulp, manufacturers used cloth rags to make paper.


The Odometer

Nova Scotia’s Samuel McKeen invented the odometer in 1854.

McKeen’s device was the world’s first modern odometer and marked a key development in automotive technology.


Putting the Green in Greenbacks

In 1857, Canadian Thomas Sterry Hunt invented the green ink used to print United States banknotes.

The McGill University professor developed the ink from his work with chromium. The innovation was successful because the ink made it virtually impossible to counterfeit the bills.


Locomotive Braking System

In 1868, Canada’s W.A. Robinson developed the first successful braking system for train locomotives.


Leggotype

In 1869, Quebec’s William A. Leggo and George-Édouard Desbarats developed a form of half-toned lithography called Leggotype.

The process marked an important change in image and photo reproduction, particularly in newspapers.


The Real McCoy

Colchester, Ontario-born Elijah McCoy was a prolific inventor.

His most important creations in the 1870’s were innovations and improvements to lubricants for steam engines. It’s said he was also the source of the expression “the Real McCoy.”

McCoy was son of slaves who escaped to Canada through the Underground Railroad.


The Nut Chocolate Bar

In 1873, Arthur Ganong and George Ensor founded their candy factory in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

One day, George made some long, moulded pieces of chocolate studded with nuts and wrapped them in paper to take fishing.

The pair realized the wrapper was a perfect idea and began selling the world’s first candy bars for 5¢ each.


Incandescent Electric Light

In 1874, Torontonians Matthew Evans and Henry Woodward invented the incandescent electric light.

They later sold their patent to Thomas Edison who continued to develop the invention.


The Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell patented the first practical telephone in 1876.

The Scottish-born inventor immigrated to Brantford, Ontario in 1870 at the age of 23.

Bell’s other inventions include enhancements to photographs, metal detectors, and aircraft design.


The Telephone Handset


Two years after Bell’s invention, Quebec’s Cyrille Duquet created the world’s first telephone handset.

His 1878 device took Bell’s original model, which had both the transmitter and receiver fixed in place, and freed up users to move while on the phone.

Automatic Gates


New Brunswick’s Fred W. Watson invented the automatic gate in 1881.

Watson designed his device specifically for use in railway crossings but it served as the inspiration for all types of electric gates used today.

The Electric Stove

Ottawa’s Thomas Ahearn invented the first electric cooking range in 1882.

He also invented the first car heater in 1890, which replaced the dangerous gas lamps that were often used to keep car interiors warm.


The Detachable Luggage Tag


John Lyons from Moncton, New Brunswick was the first person to crack the problem of uniting travellers with their luggage. In 1882, he invented detachable luggage tags that included the departing rail station, destination, and a reference number.

Half of the tag was attached to the bag and the other half given to the passenger.

Standard Time

Before Sir Sandford Flemming’s Canadian invention, people around the world set their clocks by the sun and had no uniform way to adapt to time changes as they travelled east or west.

On November 18, 1883, railways across North America adopted Flemming’s standardized time zones and soon the entire world was following his system for setting time.


The Fielder’s Glove


Toronto-born Arthur “Foxy” Irwin invented the fielder’s glove in 1883.

After breaking two fingers on his left hand, he took an oversized buckskin driving glove, padded it and sewed the third and fourth fingers together to protect his fingers.

By the following season, almost every professional fielder was using the "Irwin glove."

Long Reach Speed Skates

In 1884, New Brunswick’s James A. Whelpley invented the long reach ice speed skate at the age of 18.

The innovation changed speed skating and helped to popularize the sport with more Canadians.


Peanut Butter

In 1884, Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal became the first person to patent modern peanut butter.

Edison’s “peanut paste” was an early form of the peanut butter we use today.


Panoramic Picture Camera


Ontario’s John R. Cannon created the first 360 degree circuit panoramic camera in 1887.

His camera used flexible film that was syncronized to the movement of the tripod.

Portable Film Developing

Arthur McCurdy’s 1890 invention of a portable tank and film developing system was an industry changing idea. McCurdy, who was born in Trurro, Nova Scotia, was an assistant to Alexander Graham Bell.


Medical Residencies

Ontario’s Sir William Osler was a founding professor of John Hopkins Hospital and is considered one of the fathers of modern medicine.

In the 1890’s, Osler created the first residency program for specialty training of physicians, bringing students out of the lecture hall to complete practical, hands-on training.


Basketball

James Naismith, a Canadian-born physical educator, physician, chaplain and sports coach is credited with inventing basketball in 1891. He came up with the game as a way to keep rambunctious students active when winter weather made it impossible for them to play outside.


The Caulking Gun

Canadian Theodore Witt was the first person to dream up a better way to deal with this traditionally messy job. Originally marketed by Witt in 1894 as a “puttying tool”, the caulking gun has been making projects easier ever since.


The Brunton Compass

Canadian-born geologist and engineer David W. Brunton invented his namesake compass in 1894. The Brunton quickly became an indispensable tool in many fields, including engineering, archeology, geology and the military and is still manufactured today.


Discovery of Radon

Canadian Harriet Brooks was the first woman in the world to work in the field of nuclear physics. In 1901, the Exeter, Ontario native was among the first researchers to discover Radon and the first to attempt to determine the element’s atomic mass. She was also the first person to realize that one element can change into another.


The Teleprinter

Nova Scotia-born inventor Frederick Creed built the world’s first teleprinter in 1902. The device was a key step forward in information transmission and capture.


Dry Ginger Ale

Chemist and pharmacist John McLaughlin of Ontario is credited with inventing dry ginger ale. He first produced his “Pale Dry Ginger Ale” in 1904. It was patented as "Canada Dry Ginger Ale“ in 1907 and has since become a staple soft drink around the world.


The Robertson Screwdriver

Two must have items in toolboxes the world over, the Robertson Screw and Screwdriver were invented in 1906 by Canadian Peter Robertson of Milton, Ontario.

The timesaving and efficient new design, was inspired by the inventor’s own hand injury.


Voice Transmission by Radio

On Christmas Eve 1906, Canadian Reginald Fessenden transmitted the sound of voices and music to several ships at sea, building on Marconi’s earlier one-way, Morse code transmission . It was the world’s first two-day radio voice transmission and the invention of radio as we know it today.


Marquis Wheat

In 1907, Canadian Charles E. Saunders came up with a hearty variety of wheat seed called Marquis Wheat. His innovation dramatically extended the range, growing season and yield for wheat farmers on the Canadian prairies.


Five Pin Bowling

Ontario’s Tommy Ryan opened Canada’s first 10-pin bowling alley in Toronto in the early 1900’s. He had a group of bowlers who regularly visited the alley at noon but found the 10-pin version of the game too long and tiring to complete over the lunch hour. Ryan’s solution was 5-pin bowling, which he introduced to the world in 1908.


The Hydrofoil

In 1908, Alexander Graham Bell, his wife Mabel Bell and fellow inventor Fredrick Baldwin developed the first successful hydrofoil at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Their design, dubbed the hydrodrome, eventually set a speed record of 114 km/h in an era when the world's fastest steamships travelled at 48 km/h.


An Early Answering Machine

Edmontonian and Ukrainian immigrant Roman Gonsett was a prolific inventor. He created an early version of the telephone answering machine in 1912. His other innovations included a device for measuring the weight and balance of an aircraft in flight, battery-operated neon flashers for airport runways and several waterproof switches.


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The Modern Zipper

Swedish-born Canadian Gideon Sundbäck invented the modern zipper at St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1913. Patented as the “separable fastener”, Sundbäck’s innovation was adopted extensively by industry, including designers at B.F. Goodrich who used it on their boots and dubbed the device “the zipper.”


Winnie the Pooh

In 1914, veterinarian Harry Colebourn was headed east for army training. Along the way he met a trapper who had found an orphaned black bear. He bought the cub and took her to training camp and then on to England. She was named Winnipeg after his home and nicknamed “Winnie.” Colebourn later donated Winnie to the London Zoo where she inspired A. A. Milne to create his famous stories.


The Gas Mask

Newfoundlander Cluny MacPherson’s lifesaving idea was born after seeing the effects of the terrible gas attacks launched against troops at Ypres during the First World War. In 1915, Dr. MacPherson, a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, created a protective device that saved thousands of soldiers from blindness and other injuries.


The Nissen Hut

During the First and Second World Wars, Nissen Huts were built by the thousands as a quick and efficient way to house offices, storage sheds or living quarters for the troops. The design was created by Canadian engineer Major Peter Nissen in 1916.


Victory at Vimy - The Creeping Barrage

In April 1917, Canada won the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together and their victory is seen as a moment that helped define Canada’s emergence as a modern nation.

The creeping barrage was one of many military innovations championed by Canadian General Arthur Currie that made the victory possible.


Sonar

In 1917, University of Alberta physics professor Robert Boyle led the team that developed the first workable sonar, which was employed by the Royal Navy in 1918.

He went on to make important advancements in radar during the Second World War.


The Egg Carton

Smithers, B.C. native Joseph Coyle patented the egg carton in 1918 after hearing a deliveryman and local hotel owner argue over broken eggs.

He also invented a pocket cigar cutter and an early variation of a vehicle anti-theft device.


Insulin

In the summer of 1921, Dr. Frederick Banting and his team at the University of Toronto began work to develop a treatment for diabetes. The result was insulin, an innovation that has saved and transformed countless lives around the world. Banting’s team included Charles Best, James Collip and John MacLeod.


Wire Photo Transmitter

William Stephenson, from Point Douglas, Manitoba, discovered a way to send photo facsimiles by wire in 1922.

He also served as one of Canada’s ace pilots during the First World War and went on to became a highly regarded intelligence officer for Britain during the Second World War.


Liquefied Helium


In 1923, University of Toronto professor Sir John Cunningham McLennan and his student Gordon Merritt Shrum developed a process to liquefy helium.

AC Radio Tube


In 1925, Edward Rogers perfected the alternating-current radio tube.

Rogers revolutionized the radio receiver industry throughout the world by greatly improving the practicality of home radios.

The Variable-Pitch Propeller

The controlled variable pitch propeller was developed by New Brunswick native Wallace Rupert Turnbull and flight tested at CFB Borden in 1927. His innovation adjusted the angle at which propeller blades cut the air and it quickly became essential to the science and development of aviation.


The Quartz Clock

The first quartz clock was created in 1927 by Ontario’s Warren Marrison.

Quartz is now a world-wide standard for timekeeping technology.

Marrison also served as a radio communications engineer with the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War.


The Electronic Organ

Belleville Ontario’s Morse Robb was one of the first inventors to succeed in creating an electric organ.

He developed the Robb Wave Organ in 1927.


The Snowblower

Montréal’s Arthur Sicard invented the world’s first snowblower in 1927.

Attached to a truck, his prototype packed a punch, allowing the driver to clear snow and then throw it over 90 feet away.


Getting Oil out of Sand


In 1928 ,Dr. Karl A. Clark patented a hot water separation technique for teasing oil from oil sands.

The Ontario-born and Alberta-based researcher’s work was a pivotal moment in the evolution of the energy sector.

Frozen Packaged Food

In 1929, Canadian Archibald Huntsman created the basic process still in use today for freezing packaged food. Huntsman used his process to preserve and ship fish from the Maritimes to consumers across Canada.


Road Lines

In 1930, Ontario’s John D. Millar was the first to come up with the idea of paining lines on roads. Before that, motorists had no easy way to see the road’s edge and faced constant risk of driving into oncoming traffic. Millar painted the world’s first road lines on a section of highway along the Ontario-Quebec border. Within three years they had become the standard across North America.


Plexiglas

The substance we know as Plexiglas was developed in 1931 by Canadian William Chalmers while he was a student at McGill University in Montreal.


Easy-Off Oven Cleaner

You can thank Regina’s Herbert McCool for making one of the worst household chores a little bit easier. McCool invented Easy-Off Oven Cleaner in 1932.


Table Hockey

In 1932, Toronto’s Donald H. Munro Sr. was short of cash for Christmas presents for his three children so he put his ingenuity to work. With scrap wood, a used coat hanger wire, butcher's twine, and clock springs he built the world’s first table hockey game and then went on to sell them at Eaton’s Department Store.


Measuring Galaxies Far, Far Away


In the 1930’s, Helen Sawyer Hogg developed a technique for measuring the distance of galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

Her observations, taken at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, are still referred to today.

Baby Pablum

Pablum was developed in the 1930s by Canadian pediatricians Frederick Tisdall, Theodore Drake, Alan Brown and technician Ruth Herbert at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The innovation ensured that children had enough vitamin D in their diets and was an important breakthrough in preventing childhood disease.


Walkie Talkies

Canadians Donald Hings and Alfred J. Gross have both received credit for the development of the Walkie Talkie.

The devices first appeared in the late 1930s.

The Hings design was a game changing innovation for Allied Forces during the Second World War.


Game Shows


In 1935, Canadian producer, writer, and emcee Roy Ward Dickson created the world’s first game show, a radio quiz called Professor Dick and His Question Box.

Dickson moved to television and created other popular shows including What d'you Know?, Claim to Fame, Fun Parade, Take a Chance, and Mr. and Mrs.

The Snowmobile

Quebecer Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the snowmobile in 1935.

His original model seated seven and was first used by doctors, ambulance drivers and priests who needed to navigate through snow to reach remote communities.

Bombardier developed the sportier Ski-Doo in 1958.


Understanding Heart Disease


In 1936, Maude Abbott wrote the “Atlas of Congenital Heart Disease” which was the culmination of her career-long specialization in the subject.

Abbott’s work included an important new classification system that spurred advances in cardiac treatment around the world.

Self-Propelled Combine Harvester

In 1938, Thomas Carroll created the first commercially successful, self-propelled combine harvester.

His economical and labour-saving device was revolutionary for farmers across the prairies and around the world.


High Speed, Cold Weather Aircraft


From 1938 to 1943, Vancouver’s Elsie MacGill oversaw the production of 1,451 Hawker Hurricanes for the war effort and designed a version that was the first successful winterization of a high-speed plane.

MacGill was also the world’s first female aircraft designer and was known as "Queen of the Hurricanes."

The Electron Microscope

In 1938, Eli Franklin Burton, Cecil Hall, James Hillier, and Albert Prebus created North American’s first electron microscope.

The quartet did their ground-breaking work at the University of Toronto.


Superman

Toronto artist Joe Shuster and the American writer Jerry Siegel co-created the Man of Steel, who first appeared in comics in April 1938. Superman’s adopted home of Metropolis was modelled on Toronto and the Daily Planet where he worked was inspired by the Toronto Star, which Shuster delivered as a kid.


The Paint Roller

In 1940, Toronto inventor Norman Breakey created the first paint roller. Breakey’s time and back-saving innovation is now used by commercial and do-it-yourself painters around the world. Unfortunately, he never patented the device!


The G-Suit

Pilots and astronauts today owe a debt of thanks to Canadian inventor Wilbur R. Franks.

In 1940, the University of Toronto researcher created the first anti-gravity suit to keep Second World War pilots from passing out when experiencing high gravity.


Propeller De-icer

Canadians John Orr and T.R. Griffith made flight in cold climates safer with their 1941 invention of the first de-icer device for plane propellers.


The Music Synthesizer

In 1945, Northwestern Ontario’s Hugh Le Caine invented the “electronic sackbut” which has come to be recognized as the world’s first music synthesizer. Le Caine was also a pioneer in the field of electronic music.


Crafting a Cornerstone Ideal

In 1948, the U. N. adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Those words and ideas influenced legislation in many nations, including Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The declaration’s author was New Brunswick-born John Peters Humphrey who served as Director of the Human Rights Division in the UN Secretariat.


The Jolly Jumper

A mother of seven, Ontario’s Susan Olivia Poole originally created this device to soothe and entertain her own children. Her first prototype was made from a cloth diaper, a spring and an axe handle. In 1948, Poole brought her Jolly Jumper to the retail market and tots have been enjoying them ever since.


The Pager


Toronto-born Alfred J. Gross invented the telephone pager in 1949.

His other innovations include the walkie-talkie and the world’s first battery operated calculator.

Multiplex Theatres

In the late 1940’s, Nat Taylor began developing his idea for multiple movie screens under one roof, with a single ticket booth for all shows. He moved from the first, two-screen movie house, at Ottawa’s Elgin Theatre, to an 18-screen Cineplex in the city’s Eaton Centre…a Guiness-World record at the time.


The Garbage Bag

The next time you haul the garbage to the curb, take a moment to thank Harry Wasyluyk, Larry Hanson and Frank Plomp. In the 1950’s, they all worked simultaneously on the idea of the plastic bag, from different parts of the country.


The External Cardiac Pacemaker

Winnipeg-born John Hopps developed the world’s first external cardiac pacemaker at the University of Toronto in 1951.

He founded the Canadian Medical and Bioengineering Society in 1965.


Neuropsychology


In the early 1950’s, Dr. Brenda Milner began work at McGill University that changed our understanding of memory and other cognitive functions.

Milner is often referred to as the founder of neuropsychology.

Cobolt-60 Radiation Therapy

In 1951, the University of Saskatchewan’s Dr. Harold Johns and his graduate students became the first researchers in the world to successfully treat a cancer patient using cobalt-60 radiation therapy.

Their technology revolutionized cancer treatment and helped millions the world over.


The Montreal Procedure

In the 1950’s, Dr. Wilder Penfield and his colleagues developed a new surgical treatment for epilepsy known as the Montreal Procedure.

Dr. Penfield’s approach, using electrical stimulation of the brain, was adopted the world over.


Synthesis of Sucrose

In 1953, Lac La Biche-born chemist and U of A Scientist Raymond Lemieux became the first person in the world to synthesize sucrose.

His work revealed how carbohydrates bind to proteins, a phenomenon crucial to everything from immunology to cancer research.


Disposable Baby Bottle Liners

In 1953, Quebec’s Jean St-Germain invented the disposable plastic baby-bottle liner. The pre-sterilized bags collapse as the baby drinks, in order to reduce the amount of air swallowed.

St. Germain was just 16 at the time of his invention and sold his rights to the idea for $1,000.


Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo, B.C. may not be the only town in Canada that claims to be the birthplace of this chocolaty treat, but nobody disputes the Nanaimo Bar’s status as a Canadian favourite.

The term first appeared in 1953 in the Edith Adam’s cookbook.


Androx Spiral Nail


In 1954, Hamilton metallurgist Allan Dove brought increased holding power to the construction industry with the invention of the Androx Spiral Nail.

Instant Replay

Saskatchewan’s George Retzlaff came up with the world’s first instant replay in 1955, while working for Hockey Night in Canada.

His process allowed the CBC to play back footage of a goal 30 seconds after it had been scored.


ATCO Trailers

Calgarian Ron Southern and his father S.D. Southern developed their first modular ATCO trailers in the 1950’s.

The trailers are now widely used across Canada and around the world.


The Electric Wheelchair

The first practical electric wheelchair for quadriplegics was invented by Canadian George J. Klein in 1955.

The innovation was spurred in part by the influx of disabled veterans following the Second World War.


The Collapsible Carry Carton


In 1956, Steve Pasjack came up with an idea that has made it easier for people to stock up on a favorite beverage.

His collapsible carry carton with retractable handle was a particular boon for beer and soda fans.

La Poutine

In the late 1950’s, a number of chefs from Quebec and Ontario began plating this combination of fries, cheese curd and gravy.

We may not know for sure who dreamt it up first but we do know it’s been a signature Canadian dish ever since.


The Automatic Postal Sorter

In 1957, Canadian scientist Dr. Maurice Levy invented the automatic postal sorter.

His device was capable of handling 200,000 letters per hour.


The Crash Position Indicator


In 1957, Alberta-born Harry Stevinson patented a device to help locate downed airplanes. His crash position indicator combined a radio transmitter and antenna that were both light and durable.

The invention improved aviation safety and has saved countless lives.

The Alkaline Battery

In the late 1950’s, Canada’s Lewis Urry invented alkaline and lithium batteries while working for the Eveready Company in the U.S.

Born in Pontypool, Ontario, Urry studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and was a veteran of the Canadian Army.


R-Theta Navigation


Jerauld G. Wright flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War and then went on to develop more than 30 navigation devices.

That includes his 1958 invention, the R-Theta Computer, which tells a pilot how many miles to home base and what heading is needed to get there.

The Goalie Mask

Jacques Plante’s inspiration for the goalie mask hit him square in the face… literally.

During a 1959 game against New York, the Montreal Canadiens goalie took a slap shot that shattered his nose.

After receiving 200 stitches, Plante agreed to go back on the ice, but only if he was allowed to wear the face mask he had been developing for practices.


Stem Cell Transplantation

In 1961, University of Toronto scientists James Till and Ernest McCulloch stunned the medical world with their discovery of transplantable stem cells.

Their work established Canada as a forerunner in stem cell science.


The Wonderbra


In 1961, Montreal-based Louise Poirier came up with a new gravity-defying innovation in lingerie that is commonly known today as the wonderbra.

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Instant mashed potatoes were first developed in Ottawa in 1962 by food chemist Edward Asselbergs.

The Netherlands-born scientist fled Europe during the Second World War and settled in Canada.


The Curved Hockey Stick

In 1963, Canadian hockey players Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull came up with the idea of bending their stick blades to generate harder shots.

Their curved blade changed the way hockey is played.


Ringette

Sam Jacks invented the game of ringette in North Bay, Ontario in 1963. Jacks worked at the local Parks and Recreation Department.

He also was the first person to codify the rules of floor hockey.


The Medium is the Message


In 1964, Edmonton-born Marshall McLuhan popularized the idea that technology has a profound effect upon our lives, culture, and history.

His idea that the “medium is the message” made him a pioneer in contemporary communications theory and a world leader in understanding of how technology shapes us.

Cancer Blood Testing


In 1965, Dr. Phil Gold and Dr. Samuel Freedman made a ground-breaking discovery in cancer treatment, pinpointing the first clinically-useful tumour marker found in 70% of cancer patients.

Their concept-shifting discovery at McGill University helped shape the modern era of cancer immunology.

Yukon Gold Potatoes


University of Guelph researcher Gary Johnston began work in 1966 to develop this popular potato.

In 1980, he was asked to choose a marketing name for the spud and opted for “Yukon Gold” to describe the potato that’s hardy enough to grow anywhere in Canada.

IMAX

The industry-changing IMAX film format was invented by Canadians Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr and William C. Shaw after they took part in Expo ‘67 in Montreal.

The world’s first permanent IMAX theatre opened in Toronto in 1971.


Sub-atomic Particle Research

In 1967, Medicine Hat’s Richard E. Taylor began research that verified the existence of quarks. This fundamental discovery changed sub-atomic particle research.

In 1990, Taylor and his two research partners were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.


The Special Olympics

The Special Olympics may have first taken place in Chicago in 1968, but the creator of the concept was Ontario’s Dr. Frank Hayden.

Dr. Hayden did extensive and ground-breaking research on physical fitness of Canadians with intellectual disabitlies prior to developing the Special Olympics.


The Caesar

This Canadian cooler was invented in 1969 by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn (now the Westin Hotel). Chell created a signature drink for the hotel’s Italian restaurant based on his recipe for spaghetti with clam sauce… and a uniquely Canadian taste sensation was born!


Canola

Canola was developed in the early 1970’s by University of Manitoba researchers Baldur Stefanson and Keith Downey.

It has since become one of Canada’s most valuable crops.


Film Colorization

Vancouver’s Wilson Markle invented the film colorization process in 1970.

The engineer’s innovative computer process returns black and white images to the way they appeared in real life, by assigning different colors to each shade of gray.


Bear Proof Garbage Can

In 1970, Haul-All Equipment Systems of Lethbridge, Alberta developed the first bear-proof tin as a way to stop the negative effects of garbage and habitation on bear populations.

The device has been stumping bears ever since, along with the odd camper!


The Electronic Prosthetic Hand

The electric prosthetic hand was invented in 1971 by Canada’s Helmut Lucas.

The Lucas design, which was controllable, durable, flexible and strong, was a critical development in prosthetics.


Key Frame Animation


In the early 1970’s, Canadians Nestor Burtnyk and Marceli Wein created computer-assisted key-frame animation, revolutionizing 3D graphics and paving the way for computer animation in blockbuster films.

The pair received an Academy Award in 1997 for their pioneering work.

UV Degradable Plastics


In 1971, Torontonian Dr. James Guillet developed environmentally-friendly, compostable plastic.

His leading work in polymer chemistry has helped to deal with litter and waste problems around the world.

Understanding Free Radicals


In 1971, Gerhard Herzberg earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the structure of free radicals.

His research allowed others to unravel the mechanisms of countless chemical reactions.

Herzberg fled to Canada during the Second World War and became a leader with the National Research Council.

Computerized Braille

Québécois Roland Galarneau’s innovation changed the lives of fellow people around the world living with visual disabilities. In 1972, he came up with a computerized solution for converting text to braille, dramatically increasing the number of books available to the visually impaired.


The Tone to Pulse Converter

In 1974, Ottawa-based Michael Cowpland created the tone to pulse converter.

This allowed central switching equipment to decode signals from push-button phones, which at the time were a new technology that didn’t always integrate with older systems.


Ginger Beef

The ginger beef North Americans enjoy today didn’t come from an ancient Chinese recipe.

It was actually created by chef George Wong at the Silver Inn in Calgary, Alberta in the mid 1970’s.


Computerized Weather Forecasting


In 1976, Vancouver’s Roger Daly launched the world’s first operational global computer weather-modelling system.

Daly’s innovation, which is still used today, is based on complex mathematical models of the Earth's atmosphere in three dimensions as well as time.

The Canadarm

Rimby, Alberta native Garry Lindberg is the world-class scientist who led the development of the Canadarm.

It made its debut on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981, establishing Canada as a leader in robotics innovation. The Canadarm has since played an important role in enabling human space flight.


The Edmonton Protocol

In 1982, University of Alberta researchers began work on a trail-blazing new diabetes treatment.

The Edmonton Protocol, which uses islet transplantation to treat insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, was a giant leap forward in treating the disease.


Emulsified rubber asphalt


Winnipeg’s Dr. Elaine Thompson took discarded rubber tires and created a new emulsified rubber asphalt.

Her 1982 innovation is used for seal-coating road surfaces.

The Silicon Chip Blood Analyzer

In 1983, Ottawa’s Dr. Imants Lauks invented a Silicon Chip Blood Analyzer called the i-Stat.

The technology made it possible for doctors to offer quicker, more efficient and more reliable diagnoses.


The BlissSymbol Printer


In 1984, Rachel Zimmerman, a 6th grader from Montreal, created the BlissSymbol Printer.

The device took an existing system of paper cards used by people unable to speak and converted it to a computer tap pad.

Explosives Vapor Detector

In 1985, Canadian chemist Lorne Elias develop the first portable “bomb sniffer.”

His advanced Explosives Vapour Detector led to technology that became a standard part of airport security measures world-wide.


The Weevac 6

In 1985, Ontario’s Wendy Murphy invented the Weevac 6 after watching TV coverage of post-earthquake rescue operations.

She realized there were no stretchers designed specifically to transport injured babies and so she set about creating one.


Battling Hepatitis


In 1986, Albertan Dr. Lorne Tyrrell began research that led to the world’s first antiviral therapy drug for hepatitis B.

University of Alberta professors have continued to lead hepatitis research, including the groundbreaking work on hepatitis C by professor Michael Houghton.

Helicopter Firefighting Bucket


In 1986, B.C.’s Donald Arney developed a device called the Bambi Bucket, which is widely used in aerial fire fighting.

The device has helped to save many lives and millions of hectacres of forest.

Swype Technology


In 1987, Randy Marsden developed the first Swype keyboard to make it easier for a disabled friend and fellow U of A student to use computers.

He’s invented other assistive technologies that have helped people around the world.

The Newtsuit

In 1987, Métis inventor and Vancouvrite Phil Nuytten took deep diving to the next level with his Newtsuit. His innovative design is used for work on ocean drilling rigs, pipelines and photographic surveys, and is also standard equipment in many of the world’s navies.


The Fox 40 Whistle

In 1987, Hamilton’s Ron Foxcroft invented the Fox 40 Pealess Whistle.

The Fox 40, now a common sight at sporting events around the world, is popular because it doesnʼt jam like its predecessors.


Cystic Fibrosis Gene


In 1989, researchers led by Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children discovered the gene that causes cystic fibrosis.

The breakthrough and subsequent work by Tsui and his colleagues has changed the lives of people around the world living with cystic fibrosis.

Archie Search Engine

Web search technology began in 1990 with “Archie,” which was the first critical step toward the search engines we use today. It was developed by Alan Emtage, a Barbados native, while he was a student at McGill University in Montreal.


Deep Pocket Fitted Sheets


St. Albert, Alberta’s Gisele Jubinville found a solution for anyone who struggles with getting fitted sheets to slip on easily over an extra-padded mattress.

She brought her innovative deep-pocket sheets to market in 1990.

The Actar 911 CPR Manikin

In 1990, Sudbury, Ontario’s Dianne Croteau transformed CPR training with the Acatar 911. The device has made it easier for millions to learn the lifesaving procedure.


The Blackberry

In 1990, Mike Lazaridis from Windsor, Ontario created the world’s first smart phone with the introduction of the Blackberry.

It sparked a technological revolution that continues today.


The Smart Board

Smart Boards were developed in 1991 by Calgarians David Martin and Nancy Knowlton.

The interactive computer-linked white boards are now a staple for many businesses, conference centres and schools.


Space Medicine Discoveries


In 1992, Canadian astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar conducted experiments aboard the space shuttle Discovery.

Her findings and continuing research have made new connections between a brain recovering from zero gravity and a brain affected with neurological illnesses such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

3-D Puzzles


Quebec-based Paul Gallant launched an innovative line of puzzles in 1992.

His 3-D puzzles brought welcome new dimensions to the toy and games industry.

The Space Vision System

Lloyd Pinkney’s Space Vision System flew into space aboard the Columbia in 1992 and has played an essential role in the construction of the International Space Station.

Pinkney was born in Blairmore, Alberta and studied at the U of A.


Rapid HIV Testing Kit


In 1993, Windsor-based researcher Dr. Abdullah Kirumira and his students invented the first rapid HIV screen testing kit.

This revolutionized testing procedures by making the process cheaper, quicker and more accessible.

Java

Java is one of the most popular programming languages and is used to run billions of computers and phones around the world.

It was developed in the U.S. in 1994 by Canadian James Gosling, who was born and raised in the Calgary area.


Acticoat

In 1995, U of A scientist Dr. Robert Burrell created Acticoat - a silver-coated treatment for burns and other wounds.

It was the world’s first commercial therapeutic application of nanotechnology and is used globally to prevent life threatening infections and promote healing.


AMR-WB Speech Compression


In 2001, professor Roch Lefebvre and his team at the University of Sherbrooke created the Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband (AMR-WB) speech compression algorithm.

It is the basis for the world standard in cell phone voice

quality.

Flickr


The photo sharing platform Flickr was created in 2004 by Stewart Butterfield and his Vancouver-based company, Ludicorp.

It was sold to Yahoo in 2005.

The Neurochip


In 2010, the University of Calgary introduced neurochip technology that monitors brain cell activity at a resolution never achieved before.

Led by researcher Dr. Naweed Syed, the neurochip is an important step in finding treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Biowire


In 2013, Dr. Milica Radisic and her team at the University of Toronto introduced Biowire.

The ground-breaking development offers a fast and reliable way to create cardiac patches in a range of sizes.

Next Generation Energy


In 2015, University of British Columbia student Ann Makosinski won the Quest Climate Grant for her invention E-Drink, a cellphone charging mug that uses heat from hot water to power mobile devices.

The 18-year-old inventor has also designed a body heat-powered flashlight.

celebrating canada: 150 great ideas - home - lg · 2017-01-03 · before charles fennerty invented...

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