U is for the Uno Motorcycle and Other Unusual Things

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!

The Uno Motorcycle and Other Unusual Things

To be honest, I didn’t expect to find a “U” invention by a Canadian. But after some really deep researching, I stumbled on the Uno Motorcycle, which is kind of a segway / motorcycle hybrid. It was designed by Ben Gulak, a Canadian teen (of course)—but due to its unusual appearance, I doubt it will ever see any traction. Heh.

So, I decided to round out this post with a few other “unusual” inventions. These aren’t necessarily groundbreaking inventions, but they are Canadian, and some of them are kind of neat. 

For instance, Canadian engineer Sanford Fleming is responsible for the invention of Standard Time. Time zones became U.S. law in 1918 and were accepted worldwide by 1929. 

If you’re watching the NHL playoffs (Go Oilers!) you know all about Instant Replay, but did you know it was invented in 1955 by television producer George Rezclaff? The replays were not technically instant but would be re-shown within a couple of minutes. Some of those goals the other night were absolutely worthy of an instant replay, don’t you think?

Wayne Fromm is responsible for the creation of the popular “Selfie Stick,” and we can thank Theodore Witte for the caulking gun, and William Chalmers for Plexiglass. 

Hm. Come to think of it, some of those inventions aren’t unusual at all, are they? Well, except the Uno Motorcycle. That one is very unusual. 

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow for an important “V” post!

~ Chase Superman Duffy