Ever a city of innovation, Vancouver lays claims to a number of firsts in Canada and the world.
From The Jolly Jumper to the London Fog to the gas station, there's lots of things that got their holding Vancouver before the rest of Canada.
And so here are five more.
1. Vancouver was home to the first robot soccer players in the world
It's a very specific first, but Vancouver is first in it. And, for a short period, Canada could claim to have the world's best soccer team for a while (as long as the players were mostly metal).
2. The world's first flag shop
Aptly named The Flag Shop, the shop opened in Vancouver in 1975. With a dozen locations across Canada, it remains dominant in Canada's vexillological scene.
3. The world's first quantum computer company
Founded by a crew from UBC, D-Wave launched in 1999 becoming the first commercial supplier of quantum computers and remains a leader in the field. While it still has offices here, it's now based in Palo Alto, California.
4. The first self-serve food floor in Canada
While self-serve groceries are the norm in Canada now, that wasn't always the case.
The idea didn't start in Vancouver for a self-serve version (as opposed to counter service, like at delis, bakers, or butchers), but the department store Woodwards in Vancouver jumped on the concept in 1919, becoming a precursor to the supermarket.
5. The first all-Chinese-language school in Canada
Now closed, the Mon Keang School was a trailblazer in Canada.
Opened at 123 East Pender St., the school was the first in Canada to offer all classes in Chinese (specifically Yue).
Earlier this year it was recognized as a site of national significance by the federal government.
While the school is closed, the space is still used for classes.
