F is for Five Pin Bowling—and Foghorns!

In celebration of Canada’s 150^th birthday, my theme for the 2017 Blogging From A to ZChallenge, is CANADA. 

Join me throughout April (every day except Sundays) to learn more about the inventions, the people, and the cultures that make up one of the greatest countries in the world.

Five Pin Bowling and Foghorns

One year for my birthday, Dad took my friends and I bowling. In the lane next to us, a group of people were using those BIG bowling balls, and I remember wondering how their fingers didn’t get stuck in the holes—the smaller balls we were using didn’t have finger holes, more like indents.

I guess I’m not the only one to wonder that, because back in 1909, customers at the Toronto Bowling Club complained that Ten Pin Bowling (with the big balls) was “too strenuous.” (The balls ARE heavy!) So, Canadian sportsman and entrepreneur, Thomas Ryan, cut the pins down to about 75% of their size and used hand held rubber balls instead—inventing Five Pin Bowling in the process. Now, Five Pin Bowling is played throughout North America. Huh.

My birthday is in July, and since this is Canada’s 150^th birthday celebration, maybe we’ll go Five Pin Bowling this year. (I’ll have to practice though—I didn’t even get one strike last time we played. My little sister, Amelia, got the best score!)

Five Pin Bowling isn’t the only great Canadian “F” invention. 

Back in 1853, Robert Foulis, an engineer from Saint John, New Brunswick invented a fog signal that uses sound to warn vehicles of navigational hazards. 

The steam powered foghorn averted countless mishaps! Plus, they make a neat sound. Have you ever heard one?

Okay, I’ve gotta jet—but check back tomorrow for my last A to Z Challenge post of the week, with some very interesting “G” words.

~ Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. The author and the illustrator make their last school stop this afternoon on the first leg of the Superman Duffy Alberta book tour. Check out my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for pics from the trip so far!