Joseph-Armand Bombardier, founder of the Canadian company that has grown into global aviation leader Bombardier, was posthumously inducted into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame this week. This honor recognizes his foundational contributions to transportation technology, most notably the invention of the Ski-Doo snowmobile.
Born in Quebec in 1907, Joseph-Armand Bombardier was a prolific innovator, obtaining 16 U.S. patents over his career. His early work focused on overcoming the challenges of snowbound transportation in rural Canada, leading to the development of a patented sprocket wheel/track system in 1937. In 1942, he incorporated his business as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée. His most famous invention, the Ski-Doo, introduced in 1959, marked a breakthrough in lightweight, motorized snow vehicles.
The company entered the aviation industry with its purchase of aircraft manufacturer Canadair in 1986. Bombardier continued to develop and improve the Challenger widebody business jet and also launched the Bombardier 415 amphibian—designed specifically for aerial firefighting—in 1994.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 1973, acknowledges individuals whose ingenuity significantly advances technology. Bombardier's induction highlights not only his impact on recreational and utility snow vehicles but also his legacy in aviation.