About Canadian inventors, we may know Dr. James Naismith introduced basketball in 1891 and John McLaughlin achieved the perfect formula for Canada Dry ginger ale in 1904. In 1921 a team at the University of Toronto, led by Dr. Frederick Banting, tested a new approach to preventing diabetes and regulating metabolism. Their work led to the invention of Insulin. A dozen other inventions by Canadians, perhaps lesser known, follow in this FFF post:
- In 1979 Chris Haney and Scott Abbott designed their own board game. In a pre-Internet era Trivial Pursuit became a huge phenomenon for its explosive popularity and pop culture relevance.
- Although he never reaped financial benefits, Norman Breakey invented the paint roller in 1940.
- A trio of Canadian filmmakers — Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor and Robert Kerr — invented IMAX in 1967.
- Pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson created peanut butter in 1884 to provide a nutritious food for people who couldn’t chew solid food.
- Harry Wasylyk and Larry Hansen developed the first disposable polyethylene garbage bag in 1950.
- Arthur Sicard invented the snowblower in 1925.
- Oven cleaning became easier after Herbert McCool came up with EASY-OFF® in 1932.
- CBC Hockey Night In Canada producer George Retzlaff devised instant replay in 1955.
- In 1930 Ontario department of transport engineer John Millar conceived and had painted the first road lines in the world, on a stretch of highway between Ontario and Quebec.
- Theodore Witte invented the caulking gun in 1894.
- John McIntosh discovered the original McIntosh sapling on his Dundela farm in Upper Canada in 1811 and in 1835 his family began producing McIntosh Red apples. The original tree produced its last crop in 1908 and fell over two years later, almost exactly a century after it had been discovered in the woods.
- Donald Hings is one of several people credited with the advent of the portable two-way radio during WW II. His work eventually led him to develop the walkie talkie. Although originally used for military communication, Hings’ development went on to become one of the coolest toys of the 1970s and ’80s.
Feel free to add your favourite Canadian inventions in the comments or send some facts to me for future Friday posts. •
Linda Watts says
I really appreciate these history lessons Pam.
Pam McPhail says
I enjoy the research. Glad you like the facts, Linda.
Patricia Young says
Ah, the McIntosh Red! This was my father’s favourite apple (and, accordingly, one of mine as well) – but only early in the season, fresh off the tree, when it retains its juicy tartness and its distinctive crispness. The Mac formed the major part of the apple orchard on our farm outside Ancaster, Ontario back in the late forties and fifties. I am ashamed that I did not know its history until today – though I have no doubt my father did as his knowledge of trees and agriculture in general was great. It was especially interesting to learn from your post that the original tree produced its final crop in 1908 – the same year that my grandmother produced my father – on 6 October, at the end of the apple season!
Thanks for your always interesting posts, Pam!
Pam McPhail says
You added more fun to the fact about the McIntosh Red. Thanks for relating the connections, Pat.
Glen Wickens says
Let me add to the list of fun facts. Sandford Fleming invented the Universal System of Time (Standard Time) adopted at Greenwich on New Year’s Day, 1885. The Chief Engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1871-80, Fleming also designed the first postage stamp in Canada and founded the Canadian Institute.
Pam McPhail says
Born in Scotland, Sandford Fleming emigrated in 1845 to colonial Canada at the age of 18. Our good fortune. Thanks for adding to the facts, Glen.
Bruce Stevenson says
Pam, your reference to the walkie talkie jarred my memory of Reginald Fessenden, a Bishop’s alumnus, from East Bolton, Lower Canada ( Quebec). On 23 December 1900 he sent a message via wireless transmission, thus conceiving the basis of AM radio. Interestingly, in doing so, he proved Marconi’s theory of radio waves to be incorrect.
I much enjoy Fun Facts Friday…keep it up!
Bruce
Pam McPhail says
Yes, I remember the Bishop’s grad who didn’t always get the recognition he deserved. Thanks for adding this fact to the list, Bruce. P.S. Also in the Townships, the inventors of Trivial Pursuit, as you likely know, attended BCS.
Brandon says
Go Canada!!!!
Pam McPhail says
Yes!!!!