"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. The circumstances, incidents, coincidences, and collaborations which motivated each great Canadian idea, and what twist of fate then brought that idea into public acceptance. 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. David Johnston has served as Governor General of Canada since October 2010. Before that, he served as dean of law at Western University, principal of McGill University, and president of the University of Waterloo. Tom Jenkins is chairman of the board of OpenText Corporation"--Provided by publisher.