Red Green explores Canadian ingenuity
Author Steve Smith signing copies of his new book Friday at Chapters Peterborough
Canada’s Red Green will be signing copies of his latest book at Chapters next week.
Steve Smith, best known as Red Green, will be at the west-end bookstore on Friday at 7 p.m.
He recently released
It’s a book about Canadian inventors, with a Red Green-style comedic take.
While doing research for the book, Smith said he was astounded to learn how many inventions Canadians developed.
“I was really shocked and surprised at how many world-class inventions came from this country that doesn’t have that many people in it,” Smith said during a phone interview Friday.
The Hamilton resident said he In Red Green’s newest book, The Woulda Shoulda Coulda Guide to Canadian Inventions, the author instructs his readers in recreating famous Canadian inventions in the comfort of their own homes.
Homemade snowblower
Snowblowers are a staple during Canadian winters but if readers can’t get their hands on one, Red Green suggests that they should make their own. Using just two spiral slides stolen from a local park, a posthole digger and a very big fan, Red Green assures readers their snowblower will work just as well as one you could find at the store.
Canadarm
was amazed to find out Canadians had invented the cardiac pace maker, standard time, instant replay and IMAX.
But the book isn’t completely factual. In its foreword, Smith refers to the book as a “faction” – not all fact or non-fiction.
Some of the inventions mentioned are real and some are made up – you have to figure it out.
“If you can’t tell the difference, I’m not sure we can help you,” he said jokingly.
Smith is well versed in creating his own inventions on his former television show, often using duct tape to hold it all together.
aired from 1991 to 2006.
Since then, Smith has been writing books and touring North America with his one-man shows.
“There’s nothing more fun for me than live shows ... I really love it.”
The 71-year-old said his mind is constantly generating “stuff” by either reacting to what it finds or creating its own “stuff.”
That “stuff” was once featured on his show. Now it’s either part of his tours or in books. The Canadarm is Canada’s most famous technical achievement that made its debut in 1981. It’s a complicated invention, but with Red Green’s advice, readers can make it easily at home. Using just a cordless drill, a house jack and a long broomstick, inventors can use their Canadarm to pick up oranges or just keep it as a decoration.
“It’s the same generator; it’s just being plugged into different instruments.” is Smith’s eighth book and it’s been rated No. 1 on Amazon and No. 8 on charts.
Wonderbra swing set
The Wonderbra was first invented in Canada in 1939. It was originally created for women but Red Green has transformed it into something that everyone can use: A swing set. By taking an A-frame set, using pup tents and strong straps, inventors can model their new playground equipment right after the Wonderbra.
Magnetic house
Red Green is impressed by the many ways Canadians can generate their own electricity but he has some ideas of his own. If inventors wrap their entire homes in wiring, Red Green claims it can create a magnetic field which can power homes the same way solar panels or wind energy does.
Potato gun
The father of two imagines the hard copy read would will attract its Red Green’s usual audience: 10-year-olds who are actually 50.
“That’s generally my audience, smart people who are 10-year-old kids.” The potato gun is an easy, at-home invention that can be made by anyone. According to Red Green, all you need is a PVC pipe, a barbecue starter and a can of hairspray and your spud will be launched metres away. - Elizabeth Sargeant