Evolution of Sport

Curator’s Statement:

As society and technology have changed throughout Canada’s history, so too has sporting equipment. Each era reflects commonly used materials of the time. As more research has been dedicated sports, the advancement of athletic safety has also improved.

The late 1800s-1940s saw the use of leather, metal, and animal hair in sporting equipment. With these materials at hand, equipment could be made locally. However, thin pieces of cloth and leather provided little protection for athletes. The 1950s introduced plastics to the sporting world. Such materials provided longer-lasting equipment as well as more durable protection. Today, equipment made with fibreglass, polycarbonate alloys, and mixed metals are mass produced. These materials are lightweight yet strong enough to protect athletes from high-contact sports. With the continual advancement of sport-science, equipment will continue to change.