Z is for Zipper

In celebration of Canada’s 150^th birthday, my theme for the 2017 Blogging From A to Z Challenge, is CANADA. 

Join me throughout April (every day except Sundays) to learn more about the inventions, the people, and the cultures that make up one of the greatest countries in the world!

Zipping it all up for this year!

It’s the end of April—which also means it’s the end of the 2017 Blogging from A to Z Challenge—and I should be running around in a t-shirt. Instead, I zipped up my coat this morning to ward off the slight chill. (Spring is coming soon, right?)

As I was doing so, my Dad said, “Hey, did you know that the zipper was invented by a Canadian?” Well of COURSE it was, because it’s exactly the invention I needed to close out the challenge.

The first modern day zipper was invented by Canadian electrical engineer Gideon Sundback in 1913, improving upon models of inventors before him. Good thing—I’m not sure buttons would be enough to keep my ski jacket closed during the cold Canadian winters. B-r-r-r.

And that’s a wrap! The 2017 Blogging from A to Z Challenge has officially come to an end. I hope my posts over the past month have taught you about some amazing Canadian inventions and inventors. I’m proud to live in such a diverse country.

Feel free to check back throughout the year as we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this July, and don’t forget to pre-order your copy of “O”—the final book in the Superman Duffy series of graphic novels. It’s a fun tribute to Canada’s 150th, and the canola industry’s 50th anniversary. 

Gotta jet! See you on Friday when I return to my regular blogging schedule. Whew!

~ Chase Superman Duffy 

Y is for Yummy Canadian Treats

In celebration of Canada’s 150^th birthday, my theme for the 2017 Blogging From A to Z Challenge, is CANADA. 

Join me throughout April (every day except Sundays) to learn more about the inventions, the people, and the cultures that make up one of the greatest countries in the world!

Yummy Canadian Treats

I’ve talked a lot about food in this year’s A to Z Blogging Challenge, and for good reason—Canada is the birthplace for some of my favourite treats. I’ve already mentioned Coffee Crisp, Crispy Crunch, Nanaimo Bars and Big Turks. (And obviously, poutine. Hey, it may not be sweet, but it IS a treat!)

I’m just getting warmed up. According to my cousin—who lives in the U.S.—she can’t wait to visit Canada so she can sink her teeth into a Sweet Marie chocolate bar. 

That’s not really my favourite, but to each their own.

Smarties—which are definitely in my Top 10—are a prime example of a Canadian treat, and you won’t find Glosettes raisins in the U.S., either. Or Maltesers! In fact, I should probably go to a movie next time I cross the border, just to see what they stock in the theatres, since all of my favourite film snacks seem to be Canadian. 

If you like caramel, you’ll be happy to know that Mackintosh’s toffee is a Canadian original. Same with Swedish Berries, Wine Gums, and Maple Candies. YUM!

In a previous post, I wrote about Ketchup chips (more yum), but All Dressed and Dill Pickle chips were also first created in Canada, along with Hickory Sticks. (I LOVE those!) Oh! I almost forgot about Cheezies—ALSO Canadian. 

Yikes. All this talk of yummy Canadian treats is making me HUNGRY. I gotta jet, but I’ll see you tomorrow for my LAST post of the 2017 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. 

I can’t believe how fast this month zipped by. (Ha. How’s that for foreshadowing?)

~ Chase Superman Duffy

X is for eXtraordinary Canadians

In celebration of Canada’s 150^th birthday, my theme for the 2017 Blogging From A to Z Challenge, is CANADA. 

Join me throughout April (every day except Sundays) to learn more about the inventions, the people, and the cultures that make up one of the greatest countries in the world!

Every year during the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, I struggle with the letter “X.” A great number of words start with the letter “X”, but usually they don’t fit into my theme—forcing me to “cheat” a little. Which is why I’ve titled this post eXtraordinary Canadians.

Little did I know that this would get me in a bit of hot water. As I started to research notable Canadians, it occurred to me that there are literally thousands of eXtraordinary people that have shaped our great country—it would be impossible to list them all. 

So instead, I have a suggestion. First, scroll through my A to Z posts from the start of the month, and take note not only of the amazing inventions I’ve profiled, but also the inventors who invented them. As far as I’m concerned, these are ALL eXtraordinary Canadians.

Which Canadian has made the biggest impact on your life? Tell me about him or her in the comments!

Gotta jet! I can’t believe there are just TWO posts left for this year’s A to Z Challenge. I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned so much.

See you tomorrow for the letter “Y”—another tough one. 

~ Chase Superman Duffy