from http://collections.ic.gc.ca/abinvents/inventors/brucenodwell_biography.htm (Dec 28, 2004)

A life-long prairie resident, Bruce Nodwell showed an inventive flair at an early age. Born in 1914 and raised in Saskatchewan, as a young adult, Nodwell learned a number of trades, including repair and electrical work. Not wanting a regular job with one company, he worked on several contracts putting in gas pumps, building service stations and culverts and roadwork.

Nodwell put his diverse skills to work building tractors and cabins, which in the early 1950s drew the attention of Imperial Oil. The company asked Nodwell to construct a tracked vehicle that could travel through muskeg. With help from family and friends, in 1955 Nodwell established Bruce Nodwell Limited, located in Calgary, which manufactured the tracked vehicles. The business lasted until 1958, when a key investor left. Nodwell found a new partner, Jack Voigt of Robinson Machine, and together they formed Robin Nodwell, which last from 1958 through 1965.

In time Nodwell sold his shares in the company and started Foremost Developments Limited in 1965, in collaboration with his son Jack. Over the years, Nodwell and Foremost Developments have manufactured tracked vehicles for a variety of purposes and conditions around the world. Foremost Industries remains in operation with a head office in Calgary, and a subsidiary in Indianapolis, Indiana.