S is for Snowmobiles, Snowblowers and Superman

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!

Snowmobiles, Snowblowers and…Superman! 

Even if you haven’t known me for long, I bet you know I love Superman. Not only is it my nickname—thanks to my super-fast speed on the track and field team—but it’s also my favourite comic book character. I’ve dressed up as Superman for Halloween, and watched all of the movies. Superman is the BEST!

He was also invented by a Canadian. Back in the 1940s, a 17-year-old cartoonist by the name of Joe Shuster (another S!) came up with the idea for a “strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.”

Who knew that the hero sworn to defend “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” was actually from Canada? Told you my “S” post would throw you a curve. <grin>

Superman isn’t the only great “S” invention either (though admittedly, it’s pretty amazing.) You already know I love to go FAST, so of course, I love that a Canadian invented the snowmobile. 

The inventor’s name was Joseph-Armand Bombardier, and while his mechanical skills allowed him to build MANY things, he is best known for his invention of the snowmobile. 

The first snowmobile was steered by skis and could hold two or three passengers. His design has been streamlined over the years of course, and in Canada—where the snow flies for several months—snowmobiling is a favourite past time. 

Unfortunately, all that snow also means hard work removing it. I’m not a fan of shoveling, and I guess I’m not alone. Because in 1925, Canadian inventor Arthur Sicard invented the first snowblower. Thank goodness!

Mom usually makes me shovel the walks, but when I go to Grandpa’s house, I sometimes get to use his snowblower—a much more advanced version than the one Arthur Sicard built, obviously—to clear out the driveway. It’s FUN!

Well, that rounds out the third week of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I hope you’ve learned a lot about Canada and some of its great inventors and inventions. I’ll be back Monday morning with a couple of neat “T” inventions—one you may be very surprised to learn about!

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend.

~ Chase Superman Duffy