Ingenious: How Canadian Innovators Made the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Wealthier, and Happier

by David Johnston, Tom Jenkins

To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, Governor General David Johnston and Tom Jenkins have crafted a richly illustrated volume of brilliant Canadian innovations whose widespread adoption has made the world a better place. From Bovril to BlackBerrys, lightbulbs to liquid helium, peanut butter to Pablum, this is a surprising and incredibly varied collection to make Canadians proud, and to our unique entrepreneurial spirit.


Successful innovation is always inspired by at least one of three forces -- insight, necessity, and simple luck. Ingenious moves through history to explore what circumstances, incidents, coincidences, and collaborations motivated each great Canadian idea, and what twist of fate then brought that idea into public acceptance. Above all, the book explores what goes on in the mind of an innovator, and maps the incredible spectrum of personalities that have struggled to improve the lot of their neighbours, their fellow citizens, and their species.
     From the marvels of aboriginal invention such as the canoe, snowshoe, igloo, dogsled, lifejacket, and bunk bed to the latest pioneering advances in medicine, education, philanthropy, science, engineering, community development, business, the arts, and the media, Canadians have improvised and collaborated their way to international admiration. Ingenious tells you why they did it and how they made the world a better place.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, History

248 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2017

About the author

Governor of Canada

Reviews

[Chuck Slack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great coffee table book highlighting Canadian ingenuity and inventiveness. Who knew we invented the Whoopee Cushion, solid honey, and the instant replay!

[Sherry Monger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's enough to make you burst your buttons with pride! David Johnston, our former Governor General, has written a book highlighting Canadian achievements. From quick release buckles to Bloody Caesars and the Sphynx cat, Canadians have been at the forefront of innovation and creativity. We are also responsible for Restorative Justice programs and dump trucks. Feels good as we celebrate Canada's 150th!🇨🇦

[Dan Lalande · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pluckily proud, amiably dry, and surprisingly dense catalogue of household-name inventions devised, too quietly, by Canadians. While the emphasis is largely on engineering, there is the odd, impressive medical and cultural contribution. First Nations and women are given their due, as are anonymous entities such as the National Research Council and The Central Experimental Farm. Would that the authors (including Canada's current Governor-General) have displayed some smarts themselves and spared readers the condescending Business 101 sidebars.

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with so many pages of inventions from Canada. Each page features a different product and has gorgeous pictures. Very interesting read. For example, one invention was from Canada northern indigenous peoples who were fishermen. They invented the first life preserver by sewing together seal stomach lining and sitting on that while fishing. Very memorable. A must read.

[John Everard Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to read on the 150th Anniversary of Canada being a country. It gives short accounts of the many ways Canadians have contributed to the world in many ways through their creativity. A fascinating read.

[Gary Mcfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. A bit brief about some topics and missing some items that I have a bias about being included but many things I did not know or remember.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, fascinating and humorous!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Snippets of cool things invented or improved on by Canadians.