Elias B. Olsen: Sports and Recreation

Elias B Olsen’s inventions single-handedly changed the face of curling in Canada. Born on Christmas day in Russell, Manitoba, Olson moved to Saskatchewan at age eighteen and worked on farms for several years in Kindersly and Alsask before moving to Edmonton.

The first of Elias’s many innovations to the sport was to colour the ice. He started to experiment with the ice, and in 1929 published a book called “The Art of Making True Curling Ice.” The methods Elias used to make curling ice were so good that he was asked to make the ice for the Dominion Championships (now the Brier) from 1954 to 1963. Elias also invented a curling rink ice-shaver as an inexpensive alternative to the Zamboni (used on skating rinks).

Elias’s most important invention, and one that is still used today, is called the “curling hack.”  This small, rubber hack provided grip for the thrower's foot and prevented players from slipping or falling. Patented in 1939, this simple tool revolutionized the world of curling. Throughout his career, Elias also designed and patented a circle cutter, a pebbling can, a flooding tube and a stone measure.

Elias Olsen founded the family business, Olsen Curling Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd., in 1933. He was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in May 2000 and awarded the Pioneer Award from the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in May 2002.

For more information on the Rubber Curling Hack please click the following link: The Rubber Curling Hack