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We are all living on one big island in a huge ocean.
It’s our only vessel for travelling through space: our “Spaceship Earth”! It has enough resources for all humanity, but we have to steer it carefully!
— Richard Buckminster Fuller
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
— Brundtland Report, UN, 1987.
Planet Bucky
The purpose of this permanent exhibition is to acquaint youngsters with the concept of sustainable development. A self-taught visionary, Richard Buckminster Fuller was advocating this principle long before the term was coined. He believed in doing more with less for the good of humanity.
Youngsters are fascinated by the surprising and ingenious aspects of inventions. Inventors have the ability to see things as they are not. Inventions help to propel our societies forward and improve our quality of life. The exhibition presents some of Buckminster Fuller’s inventions alongside contemporary innovations, all of them related to sustainable development: green architecture, water savings, sustainable transportation, solar energy, satellite Earth observation, wind turbines, marine turbines and biofiltration.
INVENTIONS RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Dymaxion car – Bucky’s invention, 1933
The Dymaxion car, which could carry up to 11 passengers, got 30 miles to the gallon (10.7 km per liter) thanks to its aerodynamic body that was inspired by nature (a flying fish or water drop).
Rowing needles – Bucky’s invention, 1970
An improved rowboat that was easier to handle, more stable and less fragile.
The Photon solar boat –contemporary invention, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), University of Quebec.
This boat runs on solar energy, a free, non-polluting and renewable energy source that can be stored and used.
Electric car and hybrid car –contemporary invention
Electric and hybrid cars are recent inventions that run completely or partly on electricity. They emit little or no carbon dioxide (CO2), thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
Bucky’s domes – 1954 (the first)
The geodesic dome was Fuller’s greatest commercial success. Current estimates put the number of habitable domes around the world at over 300,000.
The Biosphère’s dome –1967
The Biosphère, the largest geodesic dome created by Fuller and his colleague, architect Shoji Sadao, served as the U.S. pavilion during the 1967 World’s Fair in Montreal. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1976. In 1995, Environment Canada’s Biosphère opened as a centre dedicated to creating awareness of water and sustainable development issues.
The Dymaxion house – Bucky’s invention, 1946
Bucky wanted to shake up residential architecture by applying the latest techniques and technology used in airplane and ship construction. He wanted to create a real “machine for living.”
Straw house – contemporary invention
A modern house insulated with straw bales and a planted roof. It is one of many green architecture solutions.
The Dymaxion bathroom –Bucky’s invention, 1940
The bathroom is where nearly 65% of household water is consumed. The Dymaxion bathroom showerhead, a fog gun water vapour shower, uses only one cup of water.
The energy-saving showerhead –contemporary invention
The low-flow showerhead keeps our water consumption down.
SPACESHIP EARTH
Dymaxion world map – Bucky’s invention, 1946
Bucky measured the planet by projecting a number of paper cones on the globe, which reduced distortion of the oceans. This world map makes us realize that we are only a large continent surrounded by water. He believed that if we could think globally, we would no longer behave solely according to our personal, immediate interests.
Earth observation satellites – contemporary invention
Remote sensing satellites that observe the Earth have put an end to mapmaking based on calculations and Earth-based observations and can help protect the environment. For example, a world map quickly shows us how the Earth’s resources, like fresh water, are distributed.
World Game – Bucky’s invention, 1969
Bucky used the Dymaxion map of the world and the World Game to promote a spirit of co-operation. Bucky invented the World Game, which imitated popular war game strategies, in the interests of peace. The goal of the game is to manage the distribution of the world’s resources without having to resort to war.
Marine turbines – contemporary invention
Marine turbines make use of a never-before-used source of energy: tidal currents.
The Biosphère’s wastewater treatment marsh– contemporary invention
The Biosphère and some of the buildings in Jean Drapeau Park treat their wastewater in artificial marshes.
RICHARD BUCKMINSTER FULLER – 1895-1983
Richard Buckminster Fuller dedicated his life to making things better for humanity.
Einstein told him one day: “Young man, you amaze me!”
A designer, inventor, engineer, mathematician, architect, mapmaker, philosopher, poet and much more, the American Richard Buckminster Fuller is sometimes called the 20th-century Leonardo da Vinci. He created many daring inventions aimed at making things better for humanity. A prolific writer and outstanding speaker, Fuller believed that many of humankind’s problems could be solved through the wholesale adoption of new technologies and by studying the efficiency of nature and making better use of the planet’s resources. Fuller was a self-taught man. Although he never graduated from college, he received 47 honorary doctorates for his work, including one from Montreal’s McGill University, and many prestigious awards, including the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award that can be received by an American, in 1983. A great communicator, he travelled around the world 57 times and spoke on hundreds of occasions.
About the nickname “Bucky”
“Just call me Bucky,” he would say modestly when introduced to someone. It was a nickname that he had given himself.
