Canadian inventions and discoveries are objects, processes, or techniques—invented, innovated, or discovered—that owe their existence either partially or entirely to a person born in Canada, a citizen of Canada, or a company or organization based in Canada. Some of these inventions were funded by National Research Council Canada (NRCC), which has been an important factor in innovation and technological advancement. Often, things discovered for the first time are also called inventions and in many cases, there is no clear line between the two.
The following is a list of inventions, innovations or discoveries known or generally recognized to be Canadian.
Inventions and improvements
Notable Canadian inventions and improvements to existing technologies include:
Agriculture, food and beverage
Ambrosia apple — first cultivated in British Columbia during the early 1990s. B.C. roll — a type of sushi invented in Vancouver in 1974 by chef Hidekazu Tojo.
Butter tart — a filling of butter, sugar, syrup, and egg, baked in a pastry shell. Caesar (cocktail) — invented by Walter Chell in Calgary in 1969. California roll — a sushi roll with the seaweed wrapped on the inside of the rice, said to be created by the Japanese-Canadian chef living in Vancouver, Hidekazu Tojo, in 1974, although there are competing claims. Canada Dry Ginger Ale — a dry ginger ale invented by John J. McLaughlin in 1904 under the name of "Pale Ginger Ale", before it was patented in 1907 under "Canada Dry Ginger Ale". Canola Oil — developed from natural rapeseed (a plant from the turnip family) by National Research Council Canada (NRCC) personnel in the 1970s, containing a low-erucic acid content. Cheezies - a brand of cheese puff snack food made and sold in Canada by W. T. Hawkins Ltd. Cipaille — a Quebec adaptation of sea-pie without seafood. Coffee Crisp — a chocolate bar invented by British company Rowntree in Canada. Crispy Crunch — created by Harold Oswin in 1930. Donair — a regional variation of the doner kebab, using beef instead of lamb. Invented in Halifax, Nova Scotia around 1970 by Peter Gamoulakos. Fricot — A traditional stew consisting of clams, chicken and other meats. Beaver tails — fried dough pastry that is sold in a variety of flavours. Ginger beef — is a Canadian Chinese dish made from beef, ginger, and a distinctive sweet sauce. Hawaiian pizza — invented by the Greek-Canadian cook and businessman Sam Panopoulos, in 1962.
Instant mashed potatoes (dehydrated potato flakes) — invented by Edward Asselbergs in 1962. Jubilee apple — developed by Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in British Columbia. London Fog — a hot tea-based drink that consists of Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. Maple taffy — a sugar candy made by boiling maple sap. Marquis wheat — invented by Charles E. Saunders in 1908 and tested at the Agassiz experimental farm in British Columbia. (), developed from Red Fife wheat. McIntosh apple — developed by John McIntosh in Upper Canada in 1811 Montreal melon — originally cultivated in the Montreal area but lost due to industrialization. The melon's seeds have recently been rediscovered and its cultivation revitalized.
Nanaimo bar — a dessert bar that requires no baking, invented in Nanaimo around 1953. Pablum — infant cereal, invented by Frederick Tisdall, Theodore Drake, and Allan Brown in 1930. Peanut butter — Canadian chemist Marcellus Gilmore Edson patented a way to make "peanut paste", also known as peanut butter in 1884. Pizza Pops — a calzone-type snack produced by Pillsbury. Poutine — created in the Centre-du-Québec region in the 1950s. Ragoût de boulettes (Meatball Stew) — traditional Canadian comfort food from Quebec. Ragoût de pattes (Stewed Pig's Feet) — French-Canadian stew with leg or feet, originating in Quebec. Red Fife wheat — a Canadian landrace descendant of Western Ukrainian (Galicia) wheat, first grown by David Fife in Upper Canada in 1842. Spartan apple — an apple similar to the McIntosh introduced to Summerland, British Columbia in 1936, developed by R. C. Palmer. Tourtière — a French Canadian meat pie common during holidays, invented in the early 1600's, with the first recipe in 1840. Yukon Gold potato — invented by Gary Johnston in 1966.