Professor Mark Rector was a lively speaker with a vast knowledge of leading Canadian inventors. Examples ranged from the Wonderbra and jock strap to the life-changing impact of Mathew Evans’ invention of the light bulb. Alexander Graham Bell’s work far exceeded just the invention of the telephone and included airplane flight and very much more. Several pioneering female inventors were also featured, especially Dr. Elizabeth “Elsie” McGill who supervised the building of the Hawker Hurricane fighters and designed and tested the Maple Leaf II trainer.

Mark Rector says that Canada has suffered an inferiority complex as a result of Prime Minister Diefenbaker’s cancelling of the Avro Arrow, invented here in Canada. This was due to pressure from U.S. President Eisenhower. However, the Canadian brain trust then moved to NASA and assumed leading roles in space race research and invention. Canadians went on to invent the Canadarm!

The crowning story of the presentation was that of 4 students of Humber College, mentored by Mark Rector, who made contact with the international space station with a radio system that they designed and built themselves. He concluded his speech with his own rousing version of the Molson "I am Canadian" commercial.

We thank Dr. Rector for all he taught us today and giving us even more reason for Canadian pride.

Enjoy your cruise, thanks

Shirley Irvine, Speakers Committee