Of Innovation
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years of innovation Established in 1916, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has mobilized the country’s science and engineering resources to build new industries, ensure national security, and improve the health and well-being of all Canadians. Canada’s energy, agriculture, construction, astronomy, aerospace and communications sectors are among those that owe their strengths to NRC research partnerships. NRC has also played a vital role in celebrated Canadian innovations such as the first heart pacemaker, vaccines that protect children and the Canadarm. Today, as NRC prepares to tackle another century of critical societal and economic challenges facing the country, we build on our scientific breakthroughs and research achievements that have had transformational impacts on the lives of people in Canada and around the world. The following pages celebrate NRC’s rich history, chronicling 100 years of innovation through five historical eras. The National Research Council of Canada is born in a period characterized by two world wars, a booming economy fed by wheat exports, and then the Great Depression. Wars and turbulent times Wars 1916-1945 1939-1945 During WWII NRC helps to design an all-purpose assault vehicle capable of trekking through swamp, mud, snow and underbrush. 1930s The development of 30 different types of radar laid the foundation for technology-based industries in the post-war era. FACING PAGE BACKGROUND: Automatic sights for coastal defence guns and the first installation of a coastal radar defense system in North America, 1942 NRC’s invention of the anti-gravity suit prevented pilots called the “Night Watchman” from passing out on dangerous missions. established in Halifax 1941 Atomic energy research: The ZEEP (Zero Energy Experimental Pile) reactor was the first reactor in Canada and the only one in the world to use unenriched uranium. 1930-1940s NRC research plays a major role in creating the international system of classifying ground- cover snow. 1932 Construction of the “Temple of Science”, NRC’s first permanent facility, is completed on Sussex drive in Ottawa. 1930s Redesign of the steam locomotive made it more efficient and aerodynamic to prevent smoke from obscuring visibility. 1916-1945 1930s NRC’s first wind tunnel at the John Street labs in Ottawa. 1920s NRC helped to wage the war on wheat rust. Wars and turbulent times Wars The post-war baby boom and socio-economic policies give rise to unprecedented prosperity and growth of Canadian communities. NRC returns to civilian research and focuses on technologies that improve the well-being of all. Post-war boom Post-war 1946-1964 1959 Crash Position Indicator and other aviation firsts 1946 The Division of Building Research, later named the Institute for Research in Construction, was established to provide a research service for the construction industry and to help ensure affordable and safe housing for a growing population of Canadians. The new organization was also given the mandate to lead the development of the National Building Code of Canada. 1953 The Cobalt-60 “bomb” established Canada as the leader in nuclear medicine for the treatment of cancer. 1950s Precision time-keeping: atomic clocks and CBC’s familiar sounding long dash. 1953 George Klein develops the world’s first electric wheelchair. 1950 Invention of the world’s first cardiac pacemaker 1950 1946-1964 John Hopps testing the world’s first pacemaker. Post-war boom Post-war As living standards improve, the first baby-boomers come of age, forming a massive youth movement that challenges the status quo. NRC contributes to fundamental science and astronomy, grows universities and creates new entities such as Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Atomic Energy Canada Limited. An age of expansion 1965-1985 1975 NASA and the NRC sign a memorandum of understanding that Canada would develop 1983 and construct the Shuttle Remote Manipulator NRC group of the System, better known as the Canadarm. Canadian Astronaut Corps: Bjarni Tryggvason, Robert Thirsk, Roberta Bondar, Steve MacLean, Ken Money and Marc Garneau 1977 Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope is built, complementing other world-class observa- tories in Canada and around the globe. 1966 NRC sets the first colour standards for a national flag: a consistent face-resistant shade of red from among 500,000 variations. 1940-70s Music industry firsts: the invention of the multi-track tape recorder by Hugh Le Caine, creator of the first electronic synthesizer called the Sackbut and 21 other musical innovations 1970-2000s Bomb-sniffing technologies 1965-1985 1970-2000s Computer animation, which paved the way for a billion dollar Canadian industry. An age of expansion Canada experiences economic recessions in the 80s and 90s. Free trade with the US, ty globalization and the explosion of computer technology help define Canada in the new era. NRC strengthens its ties to industry by creating sector-based institutes. Global economic uncertain 1986-2012 2006 NRC’s state-of-the-art 3D laser imaging technology revealed the secrets of the Mona Lisa smile and the facial features of an Egyptian mummy. 1970s – Present Behind Canada’s top athletes are world-class scientists who fine-tune everything from bobsled runners to speed-skating suits. 1996 Vaccine development: Dr. Harold Jennings created a Meningococcal C Vaccine that saved the lives of thousands of children. 1918 – Present Better fire protection for the construction industry 1990s Support for first responder safety: lightweight armour for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) protection in “bomb disposal suits” 1989 The Bank of Canada issues a new series of banknotes featuring NRC thin-film technology. 1986-2012 1920 – Present From early aviation in Canada to aerospace technologies for air defence systems, civilian unmanned aircraft, icing risk-reduction and more 1990s NRC was part of the largest bridge study ever: the 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge. Global economic uncertainty periodofglobaltransformation,bringing about economicandsocialchangesthat Today, Canadafacesanunprecedented Today, will radicallyreshapeourcommunities and ourlifestyles. and beyond A changing world paradigm A changing world paradigm 2013 Protecting the environment From improving industrial processes to environmentally sustainable energy production, access to NRC research and tech- nology helps Canadian companies to develop a fresh take on protecting the environment. Factories of the Future NRC will support Canadian manufacturers to develop revolutionary technologies for the factory floor aimed at reducing manufacturing and design costs and increasing production efficiencies. Arctic research Ice forecasting in Canada’s Arctic losses duetodrought,heat,coldstressanddisease Canadian wheatimprovementforthereductionof Food security Cancer, Hepatitis C and Alzheimer’s Disease HepatitisCandAlzheimer’s Cancer, vaccineresearch NRC’s and beyond 2013 Brain surgerywith thehelpofvirtualreality Medical devices A changing world paradigm Today, as NRC embarks on its next century of service to Canada, it will continue to take centre stage in helping generations of Canadians maintain an enviable quality of life. By addressing the challenges of the growing global demand for secure sustenance, energy and resources, NRC will uphold its legacy as Canada’s leading catalyst for science, technology and innovation. For more information visit us at: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or contact us at [email protected] ans d’innovation Créé en 1916, le Conseil national de recherches du Canada (CNRC) a su mobiliser les ressources scientifiques et techniques du pays pour bâtir de nouvelles industries, assurer la sécurité nationale ainsi que rehausser la santé et le mieux-être de la population canadienne. Les secteurs canadiens de l’énergie, de l’agriculture, de la construction, de l’astronomie, de l’aéronautique et des communications doivent leur vitalité aux recherches entreprises de concert avec le CNRC. Ce dernier a aussi joué un rôle primordial dans de grandes innovations canadiennes comme le stimulateur cardiaque, les vaccins immunisant les enfants et le télémanipulateur de la navette spatiale (Canadarm). Au moment où il entame un nouveau siècle au sein d’une nation aux prises avec de sérieux enjeux socioéconomiques, le CNRC s’appuiera sur ses percées scientifiques et sur ses succès en recherche qui ont transformé la vie des Canadiens et de bien d’autres dans le monde. Les pages qui suivent célèbrent le riche passé du CNRC et retracent un siècle d’innovations qui émaillent cinq époques de l’histoire. Le Conseil national de recherches du Canada voit le jour à une époque marquée par deux conflits mondiaux et une économie florissante, alimentée par les exportations de blé et suivie par la Grande Dépression. La guerre et les périodes de guerre et les périodes de La La grands bouleversements grands bouleversements 1916-1945 1939-1945 Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le CNRC contribue à la mise au point d’un véhicule d’assaut tout-terrain, capable de traverser les marécages, la boue, la neige et les sous-bois. Années 1930 Élaboration de 30 modèles de radar, pierre angulaire des industries technologiques qui verront le jour après la guerre. IMAGE À ARRIÈRE-PLAN DE LA PAGE OPPOSÉE : Système de visée automatique pour canons de défense côtière et installation à Halifax du pre- mier système radar de défense La combinaison anti-g du CNRC empêche les pilotes côtière en Amérique du Nord, 1942 de s’évanouir lors des missions périlleuses. baptisé le « veilleur de nuit » 1941 Le réacteur expérimental à énergie nulle ZEEP (Zero Energy Experimental Pile) est la première pile atomique du Canada et la seule au monde Les années à base d’uranium non enrichi. 1930 et 1940 Les recherches menées au CNRC jouent un rôle déterminant dans l’élaboration du système international de classifi- cation de la neige au sol. 1932 « Le Temple de la science » : les premiers laboratoires permanents du CNRC sont érigés sur la promenade Sussex, à Ottawa. Les années 1930 La locomotive à vapeur est redessinée pour être plus efficace et aérodynamique et empêcher la fumée de gêner la visibilité. 1916-1945 Les années 1930 Le CNRC inaugure sa première soufflerie aux laboratoires de la rue John, à Ottawa.