Ottawa is the tech capital of Canada, home to many talented residents. Ottawa Future shares some lesser-known innovations that originated in the capital—prepare to be intrigued.
Innovations in Electronics
- Thomas Ahearn and Warren Soper are renowned entrepreneurs who made history by patenting electric heaters for local streetcars in the 19th century, which eventually led to the invention of the electric stove. This groundbreaking appliance was showcased at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, marking a significant achievement.
- The invention of the handheld digital calculator, developed by Bowmar Canada, was a major leap that propelled LED technology forward. Soon after, the company continued innovating with the world’s first digital watches, which became known for the same technology.
- You may be surprised to learn that the pioneers of computer navigation are Ottawa scientists Nestor Burtnyk and Marceli Wein, who created keyframe animation technology. This invention, which provides starting and ending points of motion sequences, is still in use today.
- How are Ottawa and high-speed internet connected? Modern Ottawans can enjoy high-speed internet thanks to Josef Straus and his team at JDS Optics. In the 1980s, this talented Ottawa research group significantly expanded the bandwidth capacity of telephone networks, making many company employees, who had stock options, extraordinarily wealthy—some even became millionaires.
- The electric wheelchair, developed in 1955 by George J. Klein, has been heralded as one of Canada’s “great inventions.” Klein revolutionized the design, turning what was essentially a hospital chair into a mobile device, equipped with movement systems and a joystick. This invention greatly aided WWII veterans in regaining their mobility.
The Development of Marquis Wheat
This achievement by the Central Experimental Farm was a true success story. In 1907, the first samples were sent for testing on farms. Within just two years, Marquis wheat became widely adopted across Canada, known for its:
- high-quality grain and flour,
- disease resistance,
- early maturity and high yields.
Researchers at Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm also bred several popular apple varieties, such as the Spartan.
Did You Know?
Here are some other inventions from Ottawa that may surprise you:
- The invention of the vaccines for meningitis and cytomegalovirus. In the 1980s, Dr. Harry Jennings, working with an NRC team, developed the world’s first vaccines of their kind, with research carried out in both private and public sectors.
- The invention of Bitcoin ATMs. Bitcoin, the world’s first digital currency, was created in cyberspace. Ottawa-based company BitAccess Inc. created the first physical Bitcoin ATM, enabling users to deposit and withdraw Bitcoin in cash.
- Developers of open-source HDTV signal processing earned an Emmy. Ross Video’s openGear platform set the industry standard for broadcast companies.
The invention of open-source HDTV signal processing has simplified system management and reduced costs for broadcasters and live video production companies, earning Jeff Moore and David Ross an Emmy Award for their innovations.
These are just a few highlights, as Ottawa’s inventors and developers continue to surprise and impress. Canada’s progressive and technological capital offers all the right conditions for innovation and invention.
