Canada has given the world much more than maple syrup and hockey. Behind many everyday items we take for granted are the brilliant minds of Canadian inventors who changed how we live, work, and play. These creative Canadians solved problems with practical solutions that have stood the test of time.
Here are 15 Canadian inventions that have become so common in our daily lives, you might not even realize they came from Canada.
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone in Brantford, Ontario in 1876. His invention forever changed how people communicate across distances, starting with simple voice transmission and evolving into the smartphones we depend on today.
Peanut Butter
Canadian pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson patented peanut butter in 1884. He created it as a nutritious protein source for people who couldn’t chew solid food, grinding roasted peanuts into a paste that would become a beloved sandwich filling worldwide.
Insulin
In 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin at the University of Toronto. Their breakthrough made diabetes a manageable condition rather than a death sentence, saving millions of lives around the globe.
Electric Wheelchair
George Klein invented the electric wheelchair in 1953 at the National Research Council of Canada. His innovation gave independence and mobility to people with disabilities who previously relied on others to push manual wheelchairs.
Garbage Bag
Harry Wasylyk created the first plastic garbage bag in his Winnipeg kitchen in 1950. His simple invention revolutionized waste disposal, making it cleaner and more convenient for homes and businesses everywhere.
Instant Replay
CBC television producer George Retzlaff invented instant replay for a 1955 Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. This technology changed how we watch sports forever, allowing viewers to see important moments again from different angles.
Pacemaker
John Hopps invented the first external pacemaker in 1950. His work led to the development of implantable pacemakers that regulate heartbeats and have saved countless lives around the world.
Egg Carton
Newspaper publisher Joseph Coyle invented the egg carton in 1911 in British Columbia. He designed it to solve a dispute between a farmer and hotel owner over broken eggs, creating a simple but effective packaging solution still used today.
Paint Roller
Norman Breakey invented the paint roller in Toronto in 1940. His invention made painting walls and ceilings much faster and easier than using brushes, changing home improvement forever.
Electric Stove
Thomas Ahearn patented the electric stove in 1892. His invention made cooking safer and more convenient than traditional wood or gas stoves, becoming a standard appliance in kitchens worldwide.
Walkie-Talkie
Donald Hings created the first portable two-way radio (walkie-talkie) in 1937. Initially developed for use in remote mining camps, his invention became crucial for military communication during World War II and later evolved into everyday use.
IMAX
IMAX film technology was invented by Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, and Robert Kerr in 1967. Their large-format movie system created an immersive viewing experience that transformed how we watch films in theaters.
Basketball
James Naismith, born in Ontario, invented basketball in 1891 while working as a physical education teacher in Massachusetts. His simple game with peach baskets and a soccer ball grew into one of the world’s most popular sports.
Wonderbra
The Wonderbra was designed by Canadian Louise Poirier in 1964 for the Canadian Lady Corset Company. Her innovative push-up bra design changed women’s fashion and became a worldwide sensation in the undergarment industry.
Java Programming Language
James Gosling, born in Calgary, created the Java programming language in 1995. This versatile computer language runs on billions of devices worldwide, from laptops and smartphones to smart TVs and car entertainment systems.
