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Olivia Poole
Olivia Poole
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Main milestonesMain milestonesInvention and Business Ventures Timeline: The Jolly JumperInvention and Business Ventures Timeline: The Jolly JumperPersonal Life and Relationships TimelinePersonal Life and Relationships TimelineLegacy and Recognition TimelineLegacy and Recognition TimelineEarly Life and Family TimelineEarly Life and Family TimelineTimeline of Challenges and Obstacles FacedTimeline of Challenges and Obstacles Faced
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03.04.25
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Overview

Susan Olivia Poole, born in 1889 and passing away in 1975, was an Indigenous Canadian inventor of Tsimshian (Coastal British Columbia) descent. Her most notable invention was a baby carrier designed for comfort, practicality, and crucially, allowing mothers to maintain mobility while caring for their infants. While often overlooked, Poole's innovative design filled a crucial need for mothers in her community and beyond, and her story represents a powerful example of Indigenous ingenuity and resilience.
Main Milestones
Birth in Gitxaala Territory
1889
Susan Olivia Poole was born in 1889 in the Gitxaala territory, part of the Tsimshian Nation in coastal British Columbia. Her early life would have been deeply rooted in the traditions, skills, and resourcefulness of her Indigenous community, factors that undoubtedly influenced her later inventiveness.
Experiencing the Challenges of Motherhood
Early 20th Century
As a mother herself, Olivia experienced first-hand the challenges of balancing childcare with daily tasks and responsibilities. Traditional methods of carrying infants, while functional, likely presented limitations regarding comfort and the mother's freedom of movement while working.
Developing the Baby Carrier Design
c. 1920s
Driven by the need for a more practical and comfortable way to carry her children, Olivia Poole began developing her baby carrier design. The exact process is not fully documented, but it's believed her design incorporated elements of traditional Indigenous knowledge and materials, combined with her own innovative adaptations.
Refinement and Community Use
c. 1920s - 1930s
During this period, Olivia likely refined her baby carrier design through practical application and feedback from other mothers in her community. This iterative process would have ensured the carrier's effectiveness, comfort, and durability. It would have been adopted as a useful tool by mothers in and around Gitxaala.
Limited Recognition & Legacy
Post-1930s
Sadly, Olivia Poole's invention never received widespread commercial recognition or patent protection. The lack of formal documentation and historical biases may have contributed to her contributions being overlooked. However, her design likely continued to be used locally, demonstrating its lasting value within her community, even without broader acknowledgement. Modern reproductions of her designs by Indigenous artisans exist today, keeping her legacy alive.
Death of Susan Olivia Poole
1975
Susan Olivia Poole passed away in 1975. While the details of her later life are not widely available, her contributions as an Indigenous inventor, particularly her innovative baby carrier, deserve recognition and celebrate her ingenuity and the problem-solving skills embedded in her cultural background.

Other Themed Timelines

Early Life and Family TimelineEarly Life and Family TimelineInvention and Business Ventures Timeline: The Jolly JumperInvention and Business Ventures Timeline: The Jolly JumperLegacy and Recognition TimelineLegacy and Recognition TimelinePersonal Life and Relationships TimelinePersonal Life and Relationships TimelineTimeline of Challenges and Obstacles FacedTimeline of Challenges and Obstacles Faced