Photos supplied by Brian Wilson from the Harry Davis Collection (circa 1952) – Owned by the Okanagan Archives Trust Society  www.oldphotos.ca

Man at top is Ted Trump – Men on tractor and lift are not identified. Name the two persons responsible for the invention of such a device in Oliver.

See comments below:

Damien Moore says: Ted Thornton Trump of Trump Engineering is given credit for inventing the giraffe in 1951. Few know it directly inspired the New Westminster fire brigade circa 1954 and the Chicago fire brigade in 1958 to use giraffes on their firetrucks. My grandpa was foreman at Trump’s (Isaac Olfert) and to him it was the crowning achievement of his career. He had a photo album filled with pictures of the company and his workmates, a catalogue and other mementos of his time there. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the photo – if you have a date I can ask grandma. One time after building a particularly tall one (i think about 150 foot reach) they gave people lifts for 10 cents.

Jean Evans says: The machine in the picture is the Original Trump Giraffe. Girettes, Kangaroos, Chipmunks all have their own motors, wheels etc.  and were self propelled. The Giraffe was powered by the use of a power take-off from the tractor and moved from row to row with the use of the tractor also. Us locals also took advantage of the height of this machine to look further abroad over the top of the trees.

Lois says: I remember picking fruit in one of those….I thought it was so cool

TW says: Attached is reference to an article on Ted Trump. OATS Newsletter vol 1 issue 9 (Summer 2010) September 1st, 2010 “Ted Trump, Our Man of Vision” p.s. re photo: that’s the old Cycle Shop, Main St. Penticton

John Chapman says: It is my understanding that the Girette in the Penticton parade (first clue being the spotted “neck” of the lift) was actually invented by John Rotheisler himself when he worked for Ted Trump at Trump Industries which used to be located on the old General Coach site. Shortly after this John left Trumps to start a new machine shop on his own just south of town which he ran very successfully until he passed away. During this time, John developed another lift to compete with the girette, calling it the Kangaroo. I well remember John making several trips towing a new kangaroo behind his old El Camino to deliver them to customers as far away as Ontario and the East coast of he US. He would often take his wife Marguerite along with him and make it a bit of a holiday. To this day a small yellow replica of a kangaroo stands atop a post by the driveway of the family home on Panorama Cr. John, our neighbour, was the consumate inventor for most of his life. He would often come across our street to get me to come and look at one of his new “projects”. These ranged from new powered wood splitters, to automatic levellers, retractable steps or lifts for his newly purchased trailer, to anything for which he saw a need. If anyone needed a part for a task, it was with great pleasure that John would set about designing and fabricating something which would do the job. You could always tell by the glint in his eye and little giggle as he showed things off, that he drew tremendous pleasure and pride from his creations.

RJ says: Surely those are not parking meters in the picture ? Yes in Penticton.

Valley Of Heaven In The Okanagan says: Ted Trump and John Rotheisler.

Publisher: That is the answer I was looking for. If anyone has the original story of Ted Trump in Oliver in written form – please contact me.
Sheila says: It looks like Ted Trump in the bucket..he for one invented it

Brent says: John and Ernie Rothiesler used to manufacture the kangaroo, which is a similar lift.