CANADIAN INVENTORS

James Hillier was born in Brantford, Ontario on August 22, 1915. He received his BS in 1937 and a Ph.D. in physics in 1941. Both degrees were earned at the University of Toronto. From 1940 to 1953, Hillier was a research engineer with RCA Laboratories. He then joined Melpar Inc. as research director.

In 1954, Hillier returned to RCA. In 1957, he was promoted to General Manager of RCA Laboratories in Princeton, New Jersey. Upon his retirement in 1978, Hillier was Executive Vice President and Senior Scientist of RCA Labs.

Hillier holds 40 patents, including patent #2,455,676 for the Electron Microscope and the Electron Lens Correction Device. Hillier began working on the device when he was in college. He and a fellow student built the first model in 1937. It magnified objects 7,000 times. Two decades later, more than 2,000 electron microscopes were in use world-wide. Some of these devices could magnify objects 2 million times.

James Hillier was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1980.

George J. Klein

George J. Klein was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1904. He became a design-engineer and is recognized as the most productive Canadian inventor in the 20th Century.

Dr. Klein invented numerous industrial gearing systems, the microsurgical stapling gun, the electric wheelchair and internationally recognized innovations in space technology and aviation. His earliest research showed it was possible to use skis on aircraft. He is best known for his invention of the STEM antenna, which made a great contribution toto the Gemini Apollo Space programs.

Dr. Klein was head of the team that designed Canada's first nuclear reactor during the 1940's. The reactor contributed to military inventions that were key in siding the Allies during the 2nd World War.

In 1976, at the age of 72, Dr. Klein was called out of retirement to act as chief consultant on the gear design for the CANDARM project.

Dr. Klein was inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame. His induction was announced with the start of National Science and Technology Week on October 13, 1995.

Dr. Klein died at the age in 88 in 1992.

Jaques Plante

Do you enjoy watching hockey? If so, or if you have watched a game, I'm sure you've noticed that all goalies wear hockey masks. These masks were invented by NHL All-Star goalie Jaques Plante.

By 1959, Plante had received numerous injuries by getting hit in the face by the pucks that flew toward the goal that he was tending. His nose, cheekbones and jaw had all been broken. Plante decided he needed protection.

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