Today, Canada produces about 85 per cent of the world's supply of cobalt-60. NRC's Harry Stevinson spent many years developing a reliable emergency locator beacon for downed aircraft. In 1957 the Crash Position Indicator was introduced for military use, and by 1960 was available for commercial aircraft. The CPI breaks free on impact, and sends a distress signal even if buried in snow, lying upside down or floating on water. Hi Grandpa, good to see you again.
Grandpa wears a heart pacemaker.
The technology that made it possible was developed by NRC in the late 1940s by Dr. Jack Hopps. That means millions of people like Grandpa can now live better, longer lives. A Boost to Research Rapid postwar economic expansion had a major impact on science and technology research in Canada. In 1951, NRC's investment in research grants and fellowship programs was more than five times what it had been in 1945. The NRC funding programs supported research that helped build a stronger Canadian economy.