E.B. “Ole” Olson
Curling Pioneer - Inducted 2002
The late E.B. "Ole" Olson was an accomplished curler winning many bonspiels across Western Canada over a forty-year period. His greatest and most well-known contributions to the sport of curling came from his many inventions.
Some of Ole Olson's technical achievements include: the introduction of coloured ice to curling and hockey rinks in 1926; the publication of a booklet "The Art of Making True Curling Ice" in 1929; the founder of Olson Curling Supplies, in Edmonton in 1933; the invention of the first individual curling rock sharpening machine in 1934 and he later perfected a larger machine in 1947; the invention of the standard rubber hack in 1939, which has allowed the sport to be played as we know it today; followed by other inventions such as the circle cutter, pebbling can, flooding tube, stone measure, and power ice shaver.
Ole Olson was also responsible for ice making at the Dominion Championships (now known as the Brier) between 1954 and 1963.
Ole Olson was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2000. His contributions and inventions are still being used today and have made a significant impact on the sport of curling worldwide.
After Induction
2005 - Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Award

