Article Six: New Technology

In the final chapter of our six-part series on early twentieth century Canada, we will finally discuss a subject that has literally nothing to do with race: technology. As Canada entered the twentieth century, many innovators and freethinkers took initiative and revolutionized the technological capabilities of our world. Inventions like the car, telephone and radio changed the how people lived their lives and how we as a society interacted with the world. These inventions have had an immense and profound impact in Canada’s development that is still enjoyed a century later.

Widely considered to be the greatest innovation in transportation (next to the airplane) is the car. The very first (proven to exist) automobile was, quite surprisingly, invented in 1769 by Nicolas Joseph Cugnot. He invented a military tractor that was utilised by the French to haul artillery (more info in the link). More advanced designs popped up throughout the nineteenth century by various people, so it is difficult to pinpoint when exactly the “car” came to be. Most people would credit that achievement George Selden because he patented the automobile at some point during his life. Canada’s first automobile was bought by Father G. A. Belcourt in 1866 on Prince Edward Island, where it was ironically banned many years later. Eventually, Canadian companies like Canadian Cycle and Motor Company took advantage of its popularity and started to produce them here in Canada. The car started off as something for only the wealthy, but eventually grew to become a fundamental mode of locomotion for almost all Canadians.

This is Nicholas Cugnot's first automobile.

Much like the car, the invention of the telephone was an effort by many different people, though the obsession with crediting it to Alexander Graham Bell is likely due to the fact that he got the patent. Regardless of who invented it however, it’s invention would finally allow easier communication than just a standard telegraph. In 1911, it is estimated that over three hundred-thousand telephones were in use, making Canada the greatest user of telephones in the world. As well, the first wireless telegraph was received from Wales in 1901 by Guglielmo Marconi, and the first radio broadcast was by a Canadian inventor in in 1907. These new and exciting technologies contributed to making canada the communications superpower that it is today.

Guglielmo Marcon's first use of the wireless telegraph.

An actor portraying Mr. Bell's first use of
the telephone.

These inventions not only improved Canada in almost every way, they redefined how people lived their lives across the globe. Greater access to transportation and communication has been one of the greatest pillars of technology since that time, with cellphones and autonomous cars being the ultimate manifestation of these innovations, and serve as an example as to how innovation has had such great impact on the world of today.