by catpaw | 27 Mar, 2025
Elsie MacGill – The Queen of the Hurricanes – was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 27, 1905.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering, University of Toronto (1927)
Master of Science in Engineering (aeronautics), University of Michigan (1929)
Doctoral studies at MIT in Cambridge (1932–1934)
My presence in the University of Toronto’s engineering classes in 1923 certainly turned a few heads.
Although I never learned to fly myself, I accompanied the pilots on all test flights – even the dangerous first flight – of any aircraft I worked on.
Elsie reflecting on her experiences as an undergrad in a male dominated field. 1940
Elsie MacGill is on the top left stamp. Her portrait was part of the 2019 Canadians in Flight series.
Issued by Canada Post and designed by
Ivan Novotny, Sprules Corporation and Taylor
The stamps were also available on a souvenir sheet featuring Ultraflight Lazair, Avro Arrow, Punch Dickens and Captain William Barker.
You can read more about the entire set here https://bittergrounds.com/latest-canadian-stamps-celebrating-canadians-in-flight/
Elsie MacGill, the underappreciated hero of aeronautical engineering, feminist and all around amazing Canadian. She was a woman of many firsts – 1st female graduate of electrical engineering at U of T, 1st woman to earn a Master’s in aeronautical engineering, 1st female practicing engineering in Canada, when recovering from polio MacGill designed airplanes and wrote articles about aviation, rode along with test pilots to observe her designs in flight, chief aeronautical engineer at Canadian Car & Foundry, headed the Canadian production of the Hawker Hurricane fighter planes in WW2, feminist activist, commissioner on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and tireless advocate for women’s rights1.
Page from 1942 comic – Elsie MacGill, Queen of the Hurricanes Image courtesy Roberta Bondar Foundation
How bad ass was Elsie MacGill? She had a comic book written about her in 1942 called Queen of the Hurricanes – Elsie MacGill. MacGill was the Queen of Badass Women. Not enough Canadians are taught about her contributions to engineering, aviation, and feminism so this is a long overdue tribute to a great Canadian.
Elsie MacGill | The Canadian Encyclopedia
by catpaw | 16 Mar, 2025
On March 16, 1965, the future Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, was born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada.
#ElbowsUp Canada
Multicultural Maple Leaf was designed by Friedrich G. Peter
Released in 1990 by Canada Post.
by catpaw | 7 Mar, 2025
Much loved Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis was born on the Yarmouth and Acadian Shore of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia on March 7, 1903.
“As long as I’ve got a brush in front of me, I’m alright” Maud Lewis
Christmas 2020: Art of Maud Lewis
Issued by Canada Post
Designer Hélène L’Heureux used Maud’s original artwork including her fantastic cats.
Maud and her husband Everett lived a quiet, companionable life together in Digby, Nova Scotia, where Maud sold her artwork to people who stopped at the “Paintings for Sale” sign outside their home.
Maud Lewis’ home is now part a permanent exhibit
Maud spent the rest of her life living with Everett in their house in Marshalltown. The two had what has been perceived as a formidable companionship, despite any character flaws neighbors found in Everett. Because of Maud’s worsening rheumatoid arthritis, she was unable to do housework. Everett took care of the house and Maud brought in money through her paintings. The two were a pair that Maud was proud to be a part of.
The home they lived in was tiny in stature but large in character. Despite the lack of modern amenities, like indoor plumbing and electricity, the house shows that Maud’s life in Marshalltown was full of enjoyment through her art. Those who stopped after seeing her roadside sign, “Paintings for sale”, found a quiet woman with a delightful smile. Her pleasure didn’t come from the pride of having done a painting, but the creative act itself and the enjoyment others seemed to get from her work.
Maud Lewis – AGNS | Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
by catpaw | 3 Mar, 2025
March 3, 1999, Nobel prize winning chemist and astronomer Gerhardt Herzberg died in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Gerhard Herzberg, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1971
Issued by Canada Post in 2004
Designer: Paul Haslip
Photographer: Ted Grant
Received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research into free radicals. He was the first Canadian to win this Nobel.
Born in Germany, and forced to flee due to Nazi persecution, Herzberg and his family found a home in Canada.
From his Nobel speech:
In receiving the award this year I think not only of these giants from whom I learned so much but also of my first teacher, Hans Rau, who guided my first steps in research, and to the many collaborators who helped me in my later work. Of them I should like to single out A. E. Douglas, whose quick and critical mind was always ready to help. I also think of my adopted country Canada, which gave a haven to me and my wife when we arrived as refugees. I think of the University of Saskatchewan which supported my work in its early stages and the National Research Council of Canada which provided an atmosphere so conducive to research.
Gerhard Herzberg’s career included more than 200 scientific publications. He was also a vigorous participant in the science policy debate following the Lamontagne report of 1970 (see Science Policy). The NRC created its highest grade, Distinguished Research Scientist, especially to allow Herzberg to continue personal research after he reached retirement age in 1969. Herzberg officially retired from the NRC in December 1994.
In 1975 the NRC’s astronomy and spectroscopy units were reorganized as the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, and in September 1987 Asteroid 3316, discovered February 1984, was named after him. In recognition of Herzberg, the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering was established by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Similarly, the Herzberg Medal, awarded by the Canadian Association of Physicists, bears his name. Gerhard Herzberg | The Canadian Encyclopedia
by catpaw | 24 Feb, 2025
February 23, 1949, Canadian astronaut, naval officer and politician Marc Garneau was born in Quebec City.
Garneau was Canada’s first astronaut in space.
Marc Garneau
Part of the Canadian Astronauts 8 stamp series issued in 2003 by Canada Post.
Designer: Pierre-Yves Pelletier
A veteran of three space flights — STS-41G aboard Challenger in 1984, STS-77 on Endeavour in 1996 and STS-97, also on board Endeavour, in 2000 — Garneau logged more than 677 hours in space.
Marc Garneau | The Canadian Encyclopedia
