Catching on and Catching Up

That Canada, its pockets of expertise strewn widely in longitude and its experts few and far between, should even contemplate creating and building up a new science as demanding—in terms of equipment and resources—as radio astronomy says much for the determination and clear vision of the pioneers. It also says much for the strength and persuasive power of humanity’s deep desire to ‘find out’, to examine, to explore, and to wonder. The early history is sketched here.