Letters
always spent two nights at Telegraph House in Baddeck, Nova Scotia – the gateway to the Cabot Trail. On the second trip, the Dunlops, who managed the inn, invited me and the bus driver to join an elderly couple in the dining room. What a treat that turned out to be! Douglas McCurdy and his wife were fascinating hosts. McCurdy regaled us with tales of Alexander Graham Bell, the Silver Dart and the difficulties he had in getting Canada to establish a national air force. My favourite story, however, was about the building of the Canso Causeway that links Cape Breton Island to the mainland. The government contractor who built the causeway assumed that the land adjacent to the construction site was government property.
Big mistake! When the causeway was completed, without proper authorization from McCurdy, he submitted an invoice to the government for removing millions of tons of granite from his land. Having been lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia, McCurdy knew which buttons to push and received payment in full. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he disclosed the amount. Many thanks to Alec Scott for his article, “The Aviator.” I learned a lot about a true Canadian pioneer. Charles W.N. Carr BA 1965, MEd 1972 OISE, Toronto
An Amazing Mentor I was pleased to see the article “Defying Gravity” about Wilbur R. Franks and the Franks Flying Suit in the Winter 2011 issue. I had the honour and plea-
sure of working with Prof. Franks at the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research for many years. However, I was disappointed that his other great invention, the human centrifuge, was not mentioned. I was also fortunate during my academic career to have associated with George F. Wright of the chemistry department. Prof. Wright made significant contributions to the development of explosives during the Second World War. Both men were honoured by the Canadian, American and British governments for their work. In the 65 years I have been involved with chemistry, I have never met a scientist who could match the honesty and capability of my two mentors. Alan Rodgman BA 1949 Victoria, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
KATRIEN’S
STORY
“If you help just one patient or pass on one little thing to a local colleague, you’re making a world of difference.” – Katrien, Physician, Malawi.
spring 2011
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