South London in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Cobalt Teletherapy Unit
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Appareil de traitement au cobalt
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026
1. Cobalt Teletherapy Unit / Appareil de traitement au cobalt Marker
In 1951 Canadian scientists, here and in Saskatoon, opened a new front in the battle against cancer. Through a pioneering partnership, the two teams of physicists, physicians and engineers, working independently yet cooperatively, designed the Saskatoon and the Eldorado (London) cobalt teletherapy units. Both became prototypes for the first commercially available units, then called "Cobalt Bombs", which allowed gamma radiation to be focussed directly on cancerous cells. Decades of effective worldwide use have proven the dependability of these units.
En 1951, des chercheurs canadiens firent une véritable percée dans la lutte contre le cancer. Un partenariat innovateur permit à deux équipes multidisciplinaires, ici à London et à Saskatoon, de concevoir des appareils de traitement au cobalt permettant de diriger avec précision les rayons gamma sur les cellules cancéreuses. Ces dispositifs servirent de prototypes au premier appareil mis en marché: la « bombe au cobalt ». Utilisée dans le monde entier pendant des décennies, celle-ci a démontré son efficacité dans la lutte contre le cancer.
Erected 1999
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 42° 57.577′ N, 81° 13.661′ W. Marker is in London, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is in South London. It can be reached from Commissioners Road East. The marker is on the grounds of the London Victoria Hospital, on the south side, near the entrance of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 Wellington Rd, London ON N6A 5W9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026
2. Cobalt Teletherapy Unit / Appareil de traitement au cobalt Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
