From animal skin to aluminum, canoes have undergone an incredible transformation over the past 10,000 years.
A popular design, the dugout canoe, dates back to roughly 8,000 BC and was made by hollowing out a large tree trunk. Native Americans in the north Pacific Coast relied on variations of this design for ocean and river travel and different types of fishing (e.g., whale, seal, salmon).
The bark canoe was another popular design. Bark canoes were fashioned from the bark of certain trees and each individual piece of bark was held together by branches or hand woven rope. These canoes were typically 14 feet in length and weighed just 50 lbs.
Skin canoes were another popular primitive design. These canoes had a wooden framework with animal skins stretched around the perimeter to prevent water from entering the hull.
Canoe design underwent a large transition in the 19th century when canoe builders started fastening waterproofed canvas shells to wooden ribs. This manufacturing style made canoes much more watertight and aquadynamic. This new design also ushered in a new market for canoes which became popular recreational watercraft.
Modern canoes are made out of plastic, fiber composites, and aluminum. They have also become a symbol of Canadian identity due to their outsized presence in history and folklore.
In 1945, Keith Erickson of Salt Lake City, Utah created a new canoe design. While his design was novel, he registered an ornamental patent meaning his design could only be used for toys and other memorabilia.
