David Unaipon (born David Ngunaitponi) 28 September 1872 – 7 February 1967, Writer, Preacher, Inventor
Introduction David Unaipon was born at the Point McLeay Mission, South Australia, and attended the mission school until 1885 when he left to become a servant. Encouraged by others to pursue his interest in philosophy, science and music, Unaipon read widely and became well-known for his intellectual capacity and inventions. He spoke regularly at schools and learned societies, and often attended government enquiries. In the 1920s, he began to study western mythology and began collecting his own people's myths and legends. He wrote for the Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper from 1924, and began publishing compilations of his myths. David Unaipon was the first Australian Aboriginal writer to have a book published in Australia.
"Hungarrda" was published in 1927 followed by "Kinnie
Ger - the Native Cat" in 1928 and his main work, "Native
Legends", in 1929. A collection of his legends was published,
without acknowlegement, by W. Ramsay Smith as Myths and Legends of
the Australian Aboriginals in 1930. He also wrote 'My Life Story'(1951)
and 'Leaves of Memory'(1953).
Without permission, the publisher Angus and Robertson sold the
copyright of the stories to William Ramsay Smith (q.v.) who
published Myths and Legends of the Australian Aboriginals (1930)
without acknowledgement. W. R. Smith also published some of
Unaipon's stories as Australian Legends (1984), with notes in
Japanese. Scientist & Inventor Among his patents was a helicopter design based on the principle of a boomerang. Apart from his social messages, David was absorbed by the concept of perpetual motion. He spent much effort designing machines which led to the media dubbing him the "black Leonardo". In 1909 he patented an improved handpiece for sheep-shearing (pictured: Patent specification. Mechanical motion. Sheep shears. No. 15,624, 1909. D. Unaipon, SA). His other inventions included a centrifugal motor, a multi-radial wheel and mechanical propulsion device. He never succeeded in getting any financial support to develop his ideas. As early as 1914, Unaipon had anticipated the concept of a helicopter by applying the principle of the boomerang.
Education: Unaipon began his education at the age of seven at
the Point McLeay Mission School and soon became known for his intelligence,
with the former secretary of the Aborigines' Friends' Association stating in
1887: "I only wish the majority of white boys were as bright,
intelligent, well-instructed and well-mannered, as the little fellow I am
now taking charge of." Unaipon left school at 13 to work as a
servant for C.B. Young in Adelaide where Young actively encouraged
Unaipon's interest in literature, philosophy, science and music.
Employment &
Training:
Experiences: "It was as an inventor that Unaipon first achieved
fame. He patented his modified shearing handpiece in 1909. Because
of his wide reading of scientific journals, he was often the first
person in Australia to make public reference to recent scientific
and technological research. His publicising of such predictions as
polarised light and helicopter flight led to labels like 'the black
genius' and 'Australia's Leonardo', and he did indeed work privately
on the development of such innovations. He patented numerous
inventions between 1909 and 1944 including a centrifugal motor, a
mechanical propulsion device, and a multiracial wheel."
Unaipon spent 50 years collecting
subscriptions for the Aborigines' Friends' Association. He also
lectured and published Aboriginal legends. Most Referenced Works: 1 Legendary Tales of the Australian
Aborigines David Unaipon , 2001 selected work prose
In the 1990s, Unaipon's
manuscript of Aboriginal legends was edited and published as
Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines (2001), adopting his
original title and finally acknowledging his authorship.
Secondary Online: Innovation is the Australian way Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Ethical Understanding
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Intercultural Understanding
1. Read the following article. 2. Change the title of the article: "Colonial heritage, geographical isolation and resourcefulness are a few possible reasons why Aussies are top inventors" to include our Indigenous inventors. 3. Rewrite the paragraphs labelled "Local inventions" to include David Unaipon. 4. Rewrite the first paragraph under the heading "Inventions the spirit of Australia" showing your knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture. Include David Unaipon and his inventions. 5. Blog the issue - "Why is it that such articles often fail to promote to the world Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inventors and inventions?"
Material sourced from
|
|