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  2. Canoes: A Natural History in North America

Canoes: A Natural History in North America

Mark Neuzil and Norman Sims
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This is the story of the canoe, that singular American artifact so little changed over time. Featured here are canoes old and new, from birch bark to dugout to carbon fiber; the people who made them; and the adventures they shared. With features of technology, industry, art, and survival, the canoe carries us deep into the natural and cultural history of North America.

Follow author Mark Neuzil on Twitter: @mrneuzil

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Published: 2016
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
ISBN(s)
  • 9780816681174 (hardcover)
Subject
  • History
  • Cultural Studies
  • Literature
  • Native American Studies
  • Regional Studies

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  • Introduction1
  • Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes12
  • Sidebar: Square-Stern Canoes1
  • Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement5
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  • Vinje, Arthur M.2
  • Davis, Jon “ShakataGaNai”1
  • Jacques, Francis Lee1
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Canoeing became a more popular pastime in the twentieth century after the establishment of several national parks throughout North America. Here, two paddlers are photographed in 1952 at Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Two Paddlers at Banff National Park, Alberta

From Introduction

Two paddlers are photographed in 1952 at Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Photograph by Gar Lunney, National Film Board of Canada Collection, Library and Archives of Canada, R1196-14-7-E.

The pioneering chemist Stephanie Kwolek holds the liquid crystal polymer that became Kevlar.

Stephanie Kwolek

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

The pioneering chemist Stephanie Kwolek holds the liquid crystal polymer that became Kevlar.

A photograph of a canoe strapped to the top of a car.

Car-Top Carriers

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

After World War II, Americans enjoyed an increase in leisure time (and more spending money) as the economy started to hum.

A black-and-white portrait of Leroy Grumman paddling an aluminum canoe.

Leroy Grumman

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

Leroy Grumman is an important name in the history of canoeing due to his company’s development of the aluminum canoe as a way to keep his factories busy after the second world war.

A color photograph of an aluminum Grumman canoe on the water.

Grumman Canoes

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

Grumman canoes, because of their low cost and nearly maintenance-free existence, became a common choice of canoe liveries by the 1950s.

A color advertisement for Aluminum Limited featuring several children playing in aluminum canoes.

Aluminum Limited

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

With Grumman’s success, other companies involved in aluminum production saw an opening in a new market.

A large pile of Alumnacraft canoes in front of an old wooden warehouse.

Alumacraft

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

In 1967, Minnesota-based Alumacraft (shown here as Aluma Craft Apex Co.) was apparently shoveling canoes out the door as fast as they could be produced.

A black-and-white photograph of Grumman canoes loaded on a truck.

Shipment of Aluminum Canoes

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

Grumman shipped canoes by truck, among other means, to retailers large and small across the United States from its plant on Long Island.

A color Ford advertisement featuring a bear paddling an aluminum canoe through smooth water. The caption reads: "Almost as SMOOTH as . . . the new kind of FORD."

Ford Advertisement

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

Canoes, as popular as they were, became symbols for benefits like quiet, smooth rides—on calm days, of course.

A color advertisement for the Linkanoe.

Linkanoe Advertisement

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

The Linkcanoe was another attempt at perfecting what was already a pretty perfectly designed boat, in the 1940s.

A black-and-white photograph depicting the assembly of a Linkanoe. Pieces are laid out on the grass alongside water.

Linkanoe Assembly

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

The Linkcanoe was another attempt, in the 1940s, at perfecting what was already a pretty perfectly designed boat.

The old-line canoe builder Old Town expanded into the fiberglass market in the 1960s. This advertisement, for its Rushton model, claimed a weight of 18.5 pounds on the 10-foot solo boat. Cost was $195.

Fiberglass Rushton Canoe

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

The old-line canoe builder Old Town expanded into the fiberglass market in the 1960s. This advertisement, for its Rushton model, claimed a weight of 18.5 pounds on the 10-foot solo boat. Cost was $195.

A 1959 cover of Field & Stream, featuring several men canoeing and fishing.

Field & Stream

From Chapter 6: Synthetic Canoes

By the late 1950s, canoes represented the best in American outdoor life, appearing on the covers of magazines with regularity, such as this edition of Field & Stream from June 1959. There was more than a hint of nostalgia in the artwork by C. E. Monroe, Jr.

A photograph of an Evinrude motor.

Evinrude Motor

From Sidebar: Square-Stern Canoes

Several companies made small, gas-powered outboard motors designed to work with square-stern canoes and other similar-sized craft.

A black-and-white photograph of Eugene Jensen and his racing partner leaning against a car with a canoe strapped to the hood.

Eugene Jensen

From Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement

One of the famous twentieth century marathon canoe racers and designers was Eugene (Gene) Jensen, who made a name for himself racing on the Mississippi River.

A color postcard depicting the Canoe Country Outfitters shop.

Canoe Country Outfitters

From Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement

The business of canoe liveries and outfitters in the lakes and rivers region of North America, including Ely, Minnesota, in 1958, allowed city dwellers to experience the joys of wilderness travel without actually owning a canoe.

A black-and-white portrait of Zahniser sitting in a mountain landscape.

Howard Zahniser

From Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement

Howard Zahniser was a significant figure in the American environmental movement in the 1950s and 1960s. His work on the Wilderness Act of 1964—he is credited with writing most of it—was instrumental in its final passage.

Biologist Aldo Leopold (center) accompanies his son Starker (left) on a canoe trip in the Quetico boundary waters in 1924.

Aldo Leopold

From Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement

Biologist Aldo Leopold (center) accompanies his son Starker (left) on a canoe trip in the Quetico boundary waters in 1924.

An illustrated poster advertising the organization "Friends of the Wilderness."

Friends of the Wilderness

From Chapter 7: The Human-Powered Movement

Groups interested in preserving canoe country from development sprang up all over the continent. Canoes were often used as images of a free and quiet outdoors experience, including this poster with artwork by Francis Lee Jaques, ca. 1949.

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