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Invention of Sonar
In 1915 during the midst of the First World War, Robert William Boyle of Carbonear, Newfoundland, worked with French researchers to develop sonar. Sonar was a technique for locating objects and targets underwater using sound waves. The technique was primarily developed to find submarines and other underwater dangers, but it is now used for a variety of other purposes (Ross). -
Ontario Hydros Queenston-Chippawa Hydroelectricity Power Generator
The Queenston-Chippawa Hydroelectricity Electricity Generator, built in Ontario between 1917 and 1922, is regarded as the world's first hydroelectric megaproject (Parks Canada). It supplied light and power to cities and factories, as well as mining, paper, pulp, and aluminium manufacturing (Timetoast). The power generator has ten generators and generates 498,000 kilowatts of electricity each year (“Niagara Falls History of Power”). -
Discovery of Insulin
On July 27, 1921, Dr. Frederick Banting, Charles Best, J.B. Collip, and J.J.R. Macleod developed insulin at the University of Toronto. Banting's experiment with a dog led to the discovery that islet cells in the pancreas produce insulin, which may be used to prevent or cure diabetes. Banting and Mcleod were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their discoveries the following year (Bliss). -
The Variable Pitch Propeller
In 1922, Wallace Rupert Turnbull invented the variable pitch propeller (Phillipson). The propeller was designed to enable pilots to alter the blade pitch during flight for maximum performance in different phases of flight (“Variable Pitch Propeller | SKYbrary Aviation Safety”). In 1929, he sold his patent rights to Bristol Aeroplane Company and Curtiss-Wright Corporation after successfully testing it in flight in 1927. During WWII, the modified design was utilized by allied fighters (Webb). -
Invention of the Snowmobile
In 1922, 15-year-old Joseph-Armand Bombardier of Valcourt, Quebec, invented the snowmobile by mounting a propeller to an engine he retrieved from the old car his dad gave him. Despite his father's request to disassemble the snowmobile for safety concerns, this early experience inspired Bombardier's successful creation of snowmobiles and other transportation breakthroughs (Mulder). -
Battery Less Radio/AC Tube
In Toronto in 1925, Edward Samuel Rogers Sr. (Ted Rogers Sr.) built the world's first battery-less radio/AC tube. Since this radio technology was groundbreaking and convenient, its popularity skyrocketed. Because of the success of the battery-less radio, US and European manufacturers produced knockoffs. Ultimately, the battery-free radio was the first modern and revolutionary radio technology (“Rogers Batteryless Radio, The”). -
Invention of the Snowblower
In 1925, Arthur Sicard of Saint-Léonard-de-Port-Maurice, Quebec, was inspired by a wheat field grain thresher and constructed the first snowblower. During 30 years, he created the "Sicard Snow Removal Snow Blower," which has a scooper, auger, and fan capable of blowing snow 27 meters when linked to a vehicle. Its efficiency made it popular, especially as vehicles became more widespread (Berry). -
Expansion of the Hudson Bay Railway
The Hudson Bay Railway's extension from Churchill to The Pas in Manitoba was completed on September 10, 1929, at a cost of more than 45 million dollars (“Manitoba History: Commemorating the Construction of the Hudson Bay Railway”). Work was halted during WWI and did not resume until 1926. The discovery of mineral riches in the regions surrounding The Pas and Thompson, resulted in an increase in travel levels. As a result, the railway was used to transport people, minerals/materials (Regehr).