Changes to Canadian Life in the 1900s

In the early 1900s, technology was transforming Canada and the world. And some of the early innovations of the century were being devised right at home.

Telephone◦ Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1870s◦ In the early 1900s only a few people had

telephones, and they had to share lines and go through an operator to use them

Technology

Radio – Transmitting

1901, Canada received the first wireless telegraph from England on Signal Hill in Newfoundland.◦ It was the first message to cross the Atlantic without the use of wires.◦ It was in Morse Code.

1902, the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company was set up in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.◦ They a established permanent radio communication across the Atlantic.◦ 1908, they announced they would transmit messages from the public at a rate of

15 cents a word. 1907, Canadian inventor Frederick Fessenden transmitted the worlds

first radio broadcast of music and voice.◦ The radio was slow to catch on.

Electricity◦ Adam Beck

Dreamed of using the Niagara Falls to make electricity In 1906, he introduced a bill in the provincial legislature to

create the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. Beck became head of the new power commission and led

the movement to develop electricity from Niagara Falls. Beck created the world's largest electrical company and helped ignite an industrial boom in Canada.

In Ontario, politician Adam Beck created the largest hydro-electric company in the world in 1906. The Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario helped ignite an industrial boom in the province, providing cheap and available electricity for everyone.

Bicycles◦ People were experimenting with new ways of

getting from place to place.◦ One in 12 people bought a bicycle. ◦ Much cheaper and cleaner than horses and easier

to park◦ Massey-Harris the leading Canadian company to

produce them

Transportation

Automobiles◦ 1901, automobiles appeared on the cover of the

Eaton's catalogue for the first time.◦ Within the next few years, automobiles become

more affordable, and more and more of the were now being seen on Canadian streets.

◦ The profits to be made in the automobile industry were huge. Companies like Massey-Harris, and the Canadian

Cycle and Motor Company went into production. Most of the vehicles made were hybrids that included American

engines and working parts mounted on a Canadian body.

Not everyone was happy about the coming of the car.◦ 1908, P.E.I. banned the automobile on a claim that they tore up

roads and frightened children and livestock.◦ In BC the response was positive.

Soon most Canadian’s realized that the car was a useful and reliable thing.◦ Soon the successful and well-to-do people of Canada adopted the

car as the preferred means of transportation. 1908, Canada opened its first gas station in Vancouver as a

result of the popular growth of the use of automobiles. Most vehicles in BC were restricted to the south because of

the lack of good road north of the lower mainland.

Airplanes◦ The Wright Brothers made the first flight in the US

in 1903.◦ Alexander Graham Bell and Douglas McCurdy

developed the Silver Dart, a gasoline-powered biplane.

◦ McCurdy first flew the airplane in 1909 at Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

During the Laurier Era, Canadian sports began to take off, and many who participated become world champions.◦ George Dixon was the first black man to win a

world boxing championship, Tommy Burns was the only Canadian to capture the heavyweight title in 1906 and defend in 10 times, Tom Longboat of the Six Nations was one of greatest long distance runners of the time.

◦ 1908, Canada sent its first team to the Olympics.

Entertainment

As a result of rapid industrialization and urbanization, spectator sports and outdoor recreation began to grow.◦ 1909, first Grey Cup.◦ 1912, first Calgary Stampede.◦ People watched Babe Ruth hit his first home run

at Hanlan’s Point, Toronto. The emergence of the automobile also

helped with the development of other outdoor activities like hiking and camping.

Canadian poetry and writing become a favourite past time.◦ Pauline Johnson was a Canadian poet who celebrated her

success in poetry reading across Canada, the united States, and Europe.

◦ Lucy Maude Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables, and Stephan Leacock authored Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, a humorous look at small town Ontario.

◦ Robert Service brought to life the adventures of the Yukon Gold Rush through his poems.

◦ Emily Carr become well know for her paintings of aboriginal life and wild life settings in the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Fashions

A decline in restriction and the increasing influence of naturalness were the chief characteristics of the changes in women’s dress during the first 10 years or so of the 20th century

S-bend corset was introduced Hats were large and “loud” Dresses accentuated the full bottom of a woman

Women’s Fashion

Early 1900s fashion was dictated by time of day and followed a general rule of morning coats till noon, lounge suits until 6:00pm, then evening clothes depending on the specific occasion.

Men had different coats for different times of the day as well as for different events.◦ Winter months, men wore knee-length topcoats or

overcoats that were calf-length.◦ For outdoors and shooting, men wore the Norfolk Jacket.◦ For formal and semi-formal affairs, a sack coat or lounge

coat was worn.◦ For dinner at home or a gentleman’s club, a dinner jacket

was worn.

Men’s Fashion

Children’s Fashion