Browse by Subject Area

Browsing by subject allows you to search for documents related to subject areas represented in our collections and in our museums. In each section you will find a mix of document types, including but not limited to: research, educational programming, exhibit planning, conservation, artifact lists, and more. This site also includes documents on the historical and social impact of technologies and industries in Canada.

Agriculture

Animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries, land improvement, cultivation, power sources, crop handling, processing and protection.

Aviation

Canadian aviation history, industry, aircraft assessments and research.

Communications

Electrical communications (telegraphy, radio, wireless communication, television broadcasting), mechanical/electrical sound and video recording/reproduction.

Computing

Computers and computing (personal and industrial), software, microchips, processors, networks and digital technologies.

Energy

Energy—human, animal, hydraulic, hydroelectric, solar, wind, tidal, and nuclear, including technological processes and products relating to mining, exploration, regulation, transformation and distribution.

Exploration and Surveying

Technologies developed to further exploration and surveying—from underwater diving suits and breathing apparatus, to land and sea transportation and high-tech mining equipment.

Fire Fighting

Firefighting equipment, techniques and forest fire management.

Food

Food preparation, preservation and presentation, egg production and food safety.

Forestry

The Canadian lumber industry, including the pulp and paper sector, timber, harvest and export.

Graphic Arts

The technology and processes employed in the creation, duplication and transmission of text and illustrations in printed or digital form, including printing, typesetting, book binding, photography, film, reprography and office technology.

Household Technology

Everyday technologies found in Canadian homes, created to make household tasks more efficient.

Industrial Technology

Specialized technologies used in heavy industry; their history and current state.

Lighting

The development, design, use and environmental impact of light bulbs and light fixtures.

Marine Transportation

Ship building, shipping, immigration, navigation, safety and power sources.

Material Science

The study of materials (metals, plastics, ceramics, etc.), including scientific instruments, production and processes, physics, metallurgy, chemistry and engineering.

Medicine

Medical technologies, treatments, processes and healthcare—past and present.

Metallurgy

The study and processes involved in separating metals such as iron, aluminum, and nickel from ore, and creating new products such as steel, copper wires and more.

Mining

Processes and technologies related to mining operations, including coal, iron ore, gas and oil.

Photography and Film

Photographic technologies and processes, including cameras, photo processing, printing and studio equipment.

Rail Transportation

Railway manufacturing, operations, locomotive construction, steam and diesel power, rolling stock, public transit and services.

Road Transportation

Technologies designed specifically to move people or freight using motorized vehicles, including carriages, cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles and public transit vehicles.

Sciences

Astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics, scientific instruments, chronometry and meteorology.

Space

Space technologies, including the Canadarm, satellites, sounding rockets, and other specialized equipment, as well as astronomy, meteorology and metrology.

Time-Keeping

The determination of precise time—for scientists and surveyors, railways, government and the general public—using clocks, watches, etc.

Langue