If there is one thing that can be said about the folks who inhabit the Upper Peninsula (known, affectionately, as 'Yoopers'), they are a crafty bunch.
It is seen time and time again around these parts, a little thing that can be referred to as Yooper Ingenuity. It's everywhere, really--from the guy who is driving down the street with a wooden flat bed built onto his truck because his box rusted off the vehicle to the person who uses their deer antlers to hold their hats, coats and, sometimes, rifles and bows.
But some Yoopers take their ingenuity to the next level. They create something so outstanding that it needs to be shared with the rest of the world. These devices and products are typically very handy, especially to other residents of the lands north of the Mackinac Bridge.
Take, for example, the Yooper Scoop. Sure, it sounds like something you might order at the local ice cream shop, but the Yooper Scoop is actually a device that was created by some folks up in the Keweenaw Peninsula to help them move large amounts of snow. The idea is simple, really--a large scoop made out of metal and attached to a handle. You 'scoop' the snow inside and then haul it to another spot to be dumped. This isn't your typical 'heft and throw' kind of shovel, but rather one for moving large quantities at once. They're extremely useful for banking snow around the house for insulation or clearing snow off roofs, not to mention walkways and driveways. While originally developed by enterprising miners who happened to have the materials on hand, they are now produced by
a local company and can be purchased. For those who have one or are interested in getting one, here's a tip: Spray the inside of the scoop with non-stick cooking spray--the snow just slides right out instead of sticking to the metal.
Another outstanding Yooper invention is the
Marquette Backcountry ski, created by serial entrepreneur Dave Ollila (the same mention in
this article and
this feature). The Backcountry ski was designed specifically for being off the beaten trail in and around Marquette County, where the woods often make traveling via ski not so handy all the time--so the Backcounty ski actually works as part ski and part snowshoe, allowing the user to maneuver even in more difficult terrains.
And if that weren't enough, a fellow by the name of
Ralph Pelletier, who resides in Kingsford, is a bit of an inventor who just can't seem to quit making cool products. He's already designed some pretty useful recreational vehicle inventions, such as awning tabs for hanging things from, an awning support-system, fifth-wheel stabilizer jacks that are self storing, a holding-tank cleaner, a convertible bike rack and even hydraulic tandem wheel locks.
His most recent invention is for those who drive pickup trucks--it's a spare tire holder that mounds right to the tailgate of the truck, but doesn't get in the way when the gate is folded down. This definitely makes getting to the spare easier--especially when the roads are full of sloppy snow and ice and your tire is normally hidden underneath the bed of your truck.
These are just some of the many creations by Yoopers that showcase the inventive ability of the folks who call the Upper Peninsula home.
Next up? Well, let's hope it has something to do with making high-speed Internet more available to rural communities, or perhaps a window washing fluid that won't let the salt stick to your windshield. But no matter what it is, you can probably bet it's made specifically to help life in this neck of the woods just a tad bit easier.
Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of UP Second Wave. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and has never invented anything other than excuses for going ice fishing. He can be reached via email.
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