Canada's Sweet 16
16 gifts Canada has given the world... You’re welcome!
Although Canada is still a primary school kid compared to the other countries of the world, it is definitely doing extra credit to catch up to its elders. Here is a list of 16 things the Great White North has contributed to society.
1. The Wonderbra : Yes, the name “Wonderbra” was trademarked in the U.S. in 1955, but the brand itself was developed in Canada by Moses Nadler. Moses was the founder of the Canadian Lady Corset Company, he licensed the trademark for the Canadian market in 1939 and later sold it to the Sara Lee Corporation (yes THAT Sara Lee).
2. The Modern Odometer: Also know s the thing on your dashboard that shows you how fast you are going. In 1854 Samuel McKeen of Nova Scotia thought to attach a device to the wheel of his carriage, to measure the speed he was traveling as the wheel turned.
3. Green Currency Ink: The USA more like US EH! The green ink on American currency was invented by Thomas Sterry Hunt in 1862.
4. Basketball: A young physical education instructor at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, named James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891.
5. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese AKA Kraft Dinner: In 1916 James Lewis Kraft was the man behind the first processed cheese patent. He is also responsible for Velveeta, Cheese Wiz and Kraft Singles.
6. Jolly Jumper: In 1910 Olivia Poole made the first Jolly Jumper for her son, using a cloth diaper and a soft action steel spring. They didn’t go into mass production till 1948.
7. 56K Modem: Oh the sweet sound of the internet can be connected to Dr. Brent Townshed who invented the 56k modem in 1996.
8. Alkaline Batteries: The battery was invented in 1954 by Lewis Urry. Lewis, who worked for Eveready aka Energizer, used a toy car to sell the idea to his managers. He also invented the Lithium Battery.
9. Egg Carton: The Egg carton was invented by newspaper editor Joseph Coyle in 1911 to settle a dispute between a local farmer and a hotel owner. The hotel manager was upset because the farmer’s eggs were often delivered broken.
10. The Paint Roller: Norman James Breakey invented the basic idea of the paint roller in 1940 for Sherwin Williams Paint Company. The idea was later tweaked and patented by American Richard Croxton Adams.
11. Instant Replay: First used by George Retziaff in 1955 during a Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.
12. First UFO Landing Pad: Located in St. Paul Alberta, the first UFO landing pad was built in 1967. Built to attract both tourists and aliens (the intergalactic kind).
13. Superman: Canadian Joe Shuster co-created Superman with childhood friend Jerry Siegel 1932.
14. Garbage Bags: In 1950 Harry Wasylyk and Larry Hansen created the green garbage bag which were initially produced for commercial use and first sold to the Winnipeg General Hospital.
15. Canola: The word canola comes from “Canada” and “ola” (which means oil). Canola was created in 1970 while Canadian plant breeders where looking for a high-quality edible oilseed that would thrive in the Canadian prairies.
16. Peanut Butter: Marcellus Gilmore Edson was the first person to patent peanut butter in 1884. He wanted a product that had “a consistency like that of butter, lard or ointment.” He added sugar to the paste so that the consistency would harden.
You’re welcome world.
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