Let There Be Light
It has been called the great enabler of modern society. From the first arc lamp, switched on outside the Davis hotel in Winnipeg in 1873, to the new Tesla Model 3, which broke records for single week sales, electricity has been powering our lives for well over a century.
Michael Faraday first generates electricity.
First Canadian telegram sent between Toronto and Hamilton.
1846First arc lamp switched on in front of the Davis Hotel in Winnipeg.
Hydroelectric power becomes the first form of commercial electricity in Canada.
1881
Canada’s Parliament Building becomes one of the first government buildings in the world to be furnished with incandescent lighting.
Hamilton becomes Canada’s first city with an incandescent streetlight system.
1883
The Canadian Electrical Association is formed.
First electric car in Canada. They will be around until 1930.
1893The Shawinigan Electric Company built the largest generators and longest transmission lines in the world.
Canada’s first movie theater opens in Montreal.
1906
First international transmission line opens between Canada and the United States
The Steel Company of Canada opened the world’s first all-electric steel mill, revolutionizing industry.
1912Canada installed its first electric reversing mine hoist, replacing manpower.
Canada launches the world’s first electrically welded ship.
1918
First radio station in the world broadcasts mostly recorded music over CFCF from Montreal.
Ontario Hydro becomes the largest utility in the world with the completion of the first hydro plant at Niagara Falls.
1921World’s first newspaper photo is transmitted by radio and printed in the Daily Mail using a Canadian invention
Yukon and NWT open the first successful communications link to the south, by radio. Attempted telegraph links repeatedly failed due to terrain and weather.
1926First diesel electric locomotive in North America completes maiden trip from Montreal to Toronto.
The trans-Canada phone system is inaugurated, connecting the country
1932
World’s first television broadcast, Picture Page on the BBC, is shown.
Dr. John Hopps completes work on world’s first pacemaker in Ontario.
1951
The first practical solar panel is invented.
Canada’s prototype nuclear generating station begins operation.
1962Canada becomes third country on earth to launch a satellite.
Sasktel completes world’s longest fibre optics system.
1984Opening of the Toronto Sky Dome and the world’s first fully retractable roof.
The first commercial wind farm in Canada is completed in Alberta.
1993
80% of Canadian electricity is produced GHG free.
The Canadian Electricity Association celebrates 125 years.
Nova Scotia Tidal Power Corporation in the Bay of Fundy is North America’s first tidal generating station
2016