Monday, 3 April 2017

B is for Basketball, Baggage Tags, and Blackberry

In celebration of Canada’s 150th 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—O CANADA!

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Basketball, Baggage Tags, and Blackberry 


Welcome back! If you’ve hung around my blog enough, or read any of the 15 Superman Duffy graphic novels, you know I’m a runner (in fact, I’m so fast, my friends call me Superman). But every once in a while, my dad and I like to shoot some hoops.

We were mid a heated game of 21 yesterday when Dad dropped a pretty significant truth bomb on me—basketball was invented by a Canadian. But back when Dr. James Naismith invented the sport in 1891, I bet he never dreamed the game would become such a big deal. Dad says it’s the second most popular sport in the world, played in more than 200 countries. Impressive!

My friend Sydney is super tall and she plays basketball. You’ll get to read about her in the 16th—and final—Superman Duffy book, “O”, which will come out in time for Canada’s 150th birthday party on July 1.

Basketball is a significant “B” invention, for sure, but it’s not the one. The Blackberry smart phone—which is admittedly almost obsolete—was invented by a company in Ontario called Research in Motion. During its time, it was quite impressive—but newer smart phones such as the Android and the iPhone caught up, and then surpassed, the technology. 

And, you know those baggage tags the airline puts on your luggage so it doesn’t get lost? Those were invented by Michael Lyons of New Brunswick in 1882. The revolutionary tags contained information about the bag’s point of departure, destination, and its owner. Mom says it’s not a guarantee though, since she’s had her luggage go missing twice!

Of course, I couldn’t round out this “B” post without naming a famous Canadian. Pop singer Justin Bieber is STILL pretty popular at my school, especially with my friend, Sophie.

Gotta Jet! The A to Z Blogging Challenge continues tomorrow—“C” you then! 

~ Chase Superman Duffy

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