South London in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
IEEE Milestone
⎯⎯⎯
Jalon de L’IEEE
Cobalt-60 Radiation Cancer Treatment Machines, 1951
| — | Appareil De Traitement Du Cancer Par Rayonnement Cobalt-60, 1951 | — |
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026
1. IEEE Milestone/Jalon de L’IEEE Marker
In 1951, two Canadian teams of medical physicists, engineers, and radiation oncologists in London, Ontario and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan independently, yet cooperatively, designed and assembled the first treatment machines that directed gamma radiation produced by radioactive cobalt-60 onto cancerous tumours in patients. First applied at Victoria Hospital, London on 27 October 1951, this revolutionary treatment has since been used to extend the lives of millions of patients around the world.
En 1951, deux équipes (à London et Saskatoon) composées de physiciens médicaux, d'ingénieurs et de radio-oncologues ont conçu indépendamment, mais en collaboration, les premiers appareils de radiothérapie au cobalt-60 focalisant le rayonnement gamma directement sur les tumeurs cancéreuses. Les premiers traitements ont été effectués le 27 octobre à London et le 8 novembre à Saskatoon en 1951. Ce traitement révolutionnaire a prolongé la vie de millions de patients dans le monde.
Erected 2025 by IEEE
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 27, 1951.
Location. 42° 57.575′ N, 81° 13.658′ W. Marker is in London, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is in South London. It can be reached from Commissioner’s Road East. The marker is on the grounds of the London Victoria Hospital, on the south side, near the entrance to the Verspeeten Family cancer Centre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 Wellington Road, London ON N6C 5Y6, 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
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026
2. IEEE Milestone/Jalon de L’IEEE 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 13 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.
