Elias Bjarni "Ole" Olson (1888-1964)
A pioneer in Alberta sport and industry, Elias Bjarni "Ole" Olson
single-handedly altered the landscape of a Canadian pastime. Born on
Christmas day in Russell, Manitoba, Olson moved to Saskatchewan at 18 and
homesteaded for several years in Kindersly and Alsask before moving to
Edmonton.
He first made his mark in the world of curling by being the first to use
coloured ice at a rink in Marengo, Saskatchewan in 1926. Three years
later, he published The Art of Making True Curling Ice. His expertise in
ice was evident throughout his career; he went on to make ice for the
Dominion Championships (now the Brier) from 1954 to 1963, and even
invented a curling rink ice-shaver as an
inexpensive alternative to the Zamboni.
Olsons most significant contribution to the sport was his invention of
the standard rubber curling hack. Patented in 1939, this simple tool
revolutionized the world of curling. It, along with many other Olson
inventions, is still in use today. Throughout his career, he designed and
patented a circle cutter, a pebbling can, a flooding tube and a stone
measure.
Olson founded the family business, Olson 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.
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