Communicating the North: Scientific Practice and Canadian Postwar Identity.

The article traces attempts to "demarginalize" Canadian scientists, the Canadian nation, and its nature by remaking atmospheric research and the practice of reading ionograms. Particular attention is paid to research conducted in the late 1940s by Canadian researchers focusing on the turbulent ionosphere above Canada that disrupted high-frequency communications throughout the northern regions by making ionograms illegible. The work of scientist Frank Davies to position ionospheric research as a solution to international communications concerns and its impact on post-World War II Canadian identity is discussed. How the research helped Canada gain increased autonomy from Great Britain and the U.S. is investigated.