Elsie MacGill achieved many firsts in science and engineering at a time when women were considered to be inferior in the sciences. In 1923, at the age of nineteen, she became the first woman to attend engineering classes at the University of Toronto. She was the first woman in North America to hold a degree in aeronautical engineering and the first woman aircraft designer in the world. As chief engineer for the Canadian Car and Foundry Company she oversaw the production of the Hawker Hurricane, and designed a series of modifications to equip the plain for cold weather flying. Her Maple Leaf trainer may still be the only plane ever to be completely designed by a woman. And she did all this while suffering from polio. In this biography we learn that she supervised 4500 workers and produced about 1450 Hawker Hurricanes by the end of WWII. Elsie was a popular heroine of her time, inspiring the comic book "Queen of the Hurricanes" in the 1940s. In later life she became a powerful feminist activist, advocating for the rights of women and children.

"Elsie MacGill, the world's first female aeronautical engineer and professional aircraft designer, influenced early bush planes and guided production of famous aircraft in World War II. 'Elsie the engineer' was also the driving force on Canada's Royal Commission on the Status of Women and every inch the daughter of the suffragette judge Helen MacGill. Affected by muscle paralysis at 24, Elsie often struggled to walk as she pursued her amazing career."--Provided by publisher.

Reflecting a rethinking of the making of modern Canada, this well- illustrated anthology of 85 essays reaches beyond ivory tower images and taken for granted assumptions of women's roles. This sampling by primarily women contributors, drawn from personal and organizational records, emphasizes the experiences of diverse women engaged in all spheres of private and public life: from a vignette of Native community life, to profiles of innovators in many fields. Includes a cross-referenced essay index. 10 x 9.5 " format. Cook is a professor of education at the U. of Ottawa. c. Book News Inc.

Engineers have always had a huge influence on the way we live and how our world looks. They create lasting solutions to the biggest challenges, and construct iconic and incredible buildings that have literally stood the test of time. Engineers tells their story, from the men who built the Great Pyramid in Egypt to the pioneers of space travel. Often many different minds worked together or built on the work of previous generations to achieve a working version of a great idea: Engineers explores this progression of ideas, from initial concept to prototype and finished design. The great achievements of engineers go hand in hand with the world's greatest structures, such as aqueducts, monuments, bridges, and dams. These works are shown in detail and highlighted with beautiful illustrations, photographs, and technical drawings.

Pathway to the Stars takes readers on a remarkable journey spanning one hundred years of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This beautifully illustrated book shares the rich history of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on its 100th anniversary. Produced in partnership with the RCAF Foundation, Pathway to the Stars tells the story of the people, the technologies, and the events that shaped the RCAF from 1924 to 2024. Presenting 100 stories to align with 100 years of the RCAF, the book explores the many ways in which the RCAF contributed to advances in aviation over the past century, from the invention of the G-suit to the development of the first helicopter landing system on a naval ship to the design of the first flight-safety organization for investigating crashes. As we look forward to the next generation of the RCAF, Pathway to the Stars brings to light an inspirational story about Canada and its place in the world over the past century. Proceeds from this book support the ongoing programs of the RCAF Foundation, a Canadian charity that works to celebrate Canada's rich aviation history and future.

To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, Governor General David Johnston and Tom Jenkins have crafted a richly illustrated volume of brilliant Canadian innovations whose widespread adoption has made the world a better place. From Bovril to BlackBerrys, lightbulbs to liquid helium, peanut butter to Pablum, this is a surprising and incredibly varied collection to make Canadians proud, and to our unique entrepreneurial spirit. Successful innovation is always inspired by at least one of three forces -- insight, necessity, and simple luck. Ingenious moves through history to explore what circumstances, incidents, coincidences, and collaborations motivated each great Canadian idea, and what twist of fate then brought that idea into public acceptance. Above all, the book explores what goes on in the mind of an innovator, and maps the incredible spectrum of personalities that have struggled to improve the lot of their neighbours, their fellow citizens, and their species. From the marvels of aboriginal invention such as the canoe, snowshoe, igloo, dogsled, lifejacket, and bunk bed to the latest pioneering advances in medicine, education, philanthropy, science, engineering, community development, business, the arts, and the media, Canadians have improvised and collaborated their way to international admiration. Ingenious tells you why they did it and how they made the world a better place.