A Torch Fit for a Cross-Canada Journey
It’s one of the important highlights of my career
Jan 22, 2010
Employees of Bombardier are feeling a special bond with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The Montreal, Quebec-based company — manufacturer of state-of-the-art planes and trains — designed and produced the 12,000 torches that will be used in the epic cross-Canada Olympic Flame journey that embarked on October 30, 2009.
They didn’t have a handbook on how to build a torch. The torch design came from a team of over 50 engineers, industrial designers and other specialists from Bombardier Aerospace and Bombardier Transportation, working in collaboration with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Beginning in November 2007, this design team was given the extraordinary task of creating a defining symbol of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, one that would ignite the imaginations of all Canadians, and inspire the 12,000 torchbearers who will carry it proudly.
“It’s one of the important highlights of my career,” said Bombardier industrial designer Daniel Deschénes. “I’m excited to see the torch put to the ultimate test in Canadian winter conditions.”
Contours of Canadian Winters
The torch design has fluid lines and elegant form. Designers were inspired by long horizons, graceful snowdrifts and delicate shadows that form the contours of a Canadian winter landscape. The shape also emulates the journey that will be traced by the torch relay across Canada and the lines carved by winter sport, such as ski tracks in fresh snow or the line left from a skate blade on ice.
Building 12,000 Olympic Torches
Bombardier was tasked to produce one torch for each torchbearer who will participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay — more than 12,000 torches are being manufactured by the company in Canada. After the component parts are created, employees perform the final assembly of each torch by hand, give it their personal autograph of maker, and then expert assemblers ensure the correct fit of the components and inspect each torch before it is packaged and shipped to VANOC’s Torch Relays team.
Designers kept environmental sustainability in mind. As much as possible, recyclable materials were used during manufacturing, including the interior’s steel components and the torch’s exterior aluminum shell, and the cylinders inside every torch will be recycled after their use. Post-relay, VANOC and Bombardier are also committed to recycling any unused torch fuel.
Prepared for Extreme Conditions
Bombardier tested the torch design in a climate-controlled room to simulate the harshest Canadian winter conditions. That testing helped the Bombardier team come up with their dual burner system that withstands gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour. Plus, a tiny opening for the flame enables it to withstand the rain and snow, while a tested blend of propane and isobutene will make it possible for the Olympic Flame to burn bright at lower temperatures than any other Olympic Torch in history. It’s made for Canada all right.
