Written By JASEN OBERMEYER

Long-time Caledon resident Mark Rector will be signing his first published book ‘Oh Canada! Our Home and Inventive Land,' at Forster's Book Garden this Saturday, Sept. 15, which focuses on Canadian inventors and their inventions.

A professor at Humber College, he teaches electronic engineering, and has described himself as a history technology buff.

“I've had a passion for Canadian inventions and proud Canadians, and all the things we've done,” he said on why he wrote the book.

The book focuses on 150 Canadian inventors and inventions, though putting an emphasis on communications technology, explores other aspects, like hockey, the wonder bra, the compound steam engine and gasoline.

Mr. Rector explained that he started with a few inventors, notable Alexander Graham Bell and Reginald Fessenden, inventor of the telephone and pioneering the foundations of AM Radio respectively. However, he gradually “started fleshing them out and the more I did research, I would find these others inventions,” and “I kept adding to it and doing more research.”

During his research he traveled around the country various museums and tourist attractions, most notably during Canada 2016 he toured Alexander Graham Bell's mansion and sat down with his great-grandson, which he said was one of the best parts of his research, including visiting Windsor, the birthplace of hockey.

“I couldn't believe the great amazing stories of just incredible women,” he added, noting that many of them were “heroes” in pioneering women's rights and equality.

Mr. Rector said that he learned a lot during research and “was shocked” to find several inventions were Canadian, and “it's a shame” that many people, particularly Canadian themselves, don't know about them.

He described the book as “a treasure trove of untold stories,” and said he hopes those who read it can gain some insight into Canadian history.

Forster's Book Garden is located at 266 Queen St South. Mr. Rector will be signing his book from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit professormarkrector.com for a free preview of the book.