1940s

1941

Portably Fresh... Under the stress of war, scientists design portable refrigeration units for supply ships to carry fresh meat and perishables to the slowly starving British, cut off by the German sea blockade. They also develop a process to produce protein-rich powdered eggs and, later, powdered potato flakes.

1941

Franks Flying Suit... Dr. Wilbur Franks invents the world's first anti-G suit while conducting defence medical research at the University of Toronto's Banting and Best Institute. Life-saving overalls with rubber waterpads tightly laced into the legs, the Franks Flying Suit protects pilots from blackout caused when acceleration forces blood away from the brain and heart during steep turns.

1941

Spin Cycle... The first human centrifuge in allied countries opens in Toronto allowing researchers to develop advanced G-protection systems and train Canadian Forces jet pilots in techniques to withstand the high G-forces experienced in flight.

1943

The Rubber Shoe... Canadian researchers solve a crippling problem of flying in cold weather by developing a method to de-ice propellers in flight by electrically heating the leading edge of the prop. A rubber shoe covering the edge is infused with carbon to conduct enough power to heat the ice, which is then dislodged by centrifugal force.

1943

Soy Story... The commercial soybean industry is born with the release of Harosoy, an early maturing soy variety developed in Agriculture Canada labs in Harrow, Ontario.

1943

Toxin-Free Shellfish... Production of canned mussels, and later other shellfish, becomes possible when Canadian scientists develop a test that detects contaminating toxins and ensures that only safe shellfish are harvested and processed.

1943

Magnesium Miracle... A fast and safe production method developed by researchers allows mass-production of magnetic magnesium, a light metal alloy used in WWII fast-fighter aircraft and, years later, in ultra-light bicycle frames.

1945

Move over Beethoven... The world's first synthesizer, called the Sackbut, is invented by NRC's Hugh LeCaine, known as "a father of electronic music".

1946

Air First... Air Canada is the first airline in the world to prepare a detailed specification for a commercial jet transport, and also the first major airline with an all-turbine fleet.

1947

One in a Thousand... The arduous task of counting seeds becomes a whole lot easier and faster with the introduction of the Goulden and Mason counter, developed at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa and still in use today.

1949

Avro Jetliner... The first commercial jet in North America (and the world's second by only two weeks), the Avro Jetliner flies over Toronto's Malton airport on August 10. In a record-breaking, seventy-five minute flight from Toronto to New York on April 18, 1950, the Jetliner carries the first airmail delivered by jet and makes the first international jet-transport flight in North America. Before the project is cancelled, the Jetliner also flies from Chicago to New York in 102 minutes, at a speed of 739 km per hour.

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