David Unaipon (born David Ngunaitponi)
28
September 1872 – 7 February 1967,
Writer, Preacher, Inventor
(Copyright free: Public Domain)
From frontpiece of Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines
(1924) by David Unaipon
Introduction
David Unaipon was born at the Point McLeay Mission, South Australia, and attended the mission school until 1885 when he left to become a servant. Encouraged by others to pursue his interest in philosophy, science and music, Unaipon read widely and became well-known for his intellectual capacity and inventions. He spoke regularly at schools and learned societies, and often attended government enquiries.
In the 1920s, he began to study western mythology and began collecting his own people's myths and legends. He wrote for the Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper from 1924, and began publishing compilations of his myths.
David Unaipon was the first Australian Aboriginal writer to have a book published in Australia.
"Hungarrda" was published in 1927 followed by "Kinnie
Ger - the Native Cat" in 1928 and his main work, "Native
Legends", in 1929. A collection of his legends was published,
without acknowlegement, by W. Ramsay Smith as Myths and Legends of
the Australian Aboriginals in 1930. He also wrote 'My Life Story'(1951)
and 'Leaves of Memory'(1953).
Without permission, the publisher Angus and Robertson sold the
copyright of the stories to William Ramsay Smith (q.v.) who
published Myths and Legends of the Australian Aboriginals (1930)
without acknowledgement. W. R. Smith also published some of
Unaipon's stories as Australian Legends (1984), with notes in
Japanese.
Scientist & Inventor
Among his patents was a helicopter design based on the principle of a boomerang.
Apart from his social messages, David was absorbed by the concept of perpetual motion. He spent much effort designing machines which led to the media dubbing him the "black Leonardo".
In 1909 he patented an improved handpiece for sheep-shearing (pictured: Patent specification. Mechanical motion. Sheep shears. No. 15,624, 1909. D. Unaipon, SA). His other inventions included a centrifugal motor, a multi-radial wheel and mechanical propulsion device.
He never succeeded in getting any financial support to develop his ideas. As early as 1914, Unaipon had anticipated the concept of a helicopter by applying the principle of the boomerang.
Handpiece for Sheep-Shearing
(Source:
Adelaide Proformat)
Education:
Unaipon began his education at the age of seven at
the Point McLeay Mission School and soon became known for his intelligence,
with the former secretary of the Aborigines' Friends' Association stating in
1887: "I only wish the majority of white boys were as bright,
intelligent, well-instructed and well-mannered, as the little fellow I am
now taking charge of."
Unaipon left school at 13 to work as a
servant for C.B. Young in Adelaide where Young actively encouraged
Unaipon's interest in literature, philosophy, science and music.
Employment &
Training:
In 1890, he returned to Point Mcleay
where he apprenticed to a bootmaker and was appointed as the mission
organist.
In the late 1890s he travelled to Adelaide but found that his colour
was a bar to employment in his trade and instead took a job as
storeman for an Adelaide bootmaker before returning to work as
book-keeper in the Point McLeay store.
On 4 January 1902 he married Katherine Carter (née Sumner), a
Tangane woman. He was later employed by the Aborigines' Friends'
Association as a deputationer, in which role he travelled and
preached widely in seeking support for the Point McLeay Mission.
Unaipon retired from preaching in 1959 but continued working on his
inventions into the 1960s.
(Source:
Wikipedia)
Experiences:
"It was as an inventor that Unaipon first achieved
fame. He patented his modified shearing handpiece in 1909. Because
of his wide reading of scientific journals, he was often the first
person in Australia to make public reference to recent scientific
and technological research. His publicising of such predictions as
polarised light and helicopter flight led to labels like 'the black
genius' and 'Australia's Leonardo', and he did indeed work privately
on the development of such innovations. He patented numerous
inventions between 1909 and 1944 including a centrifugal motor, a
mechanical propulsion device, and a multiracial wheel."
Opportunities:
Unaipon spent 50 years collecting
subscriptions for the Aborigines' Friends' Association. He also
lectured and published Aboriginal legends.
Unaipon assisted the Bleakley inquiry into Aboriginal welfare
1928-29.
In 1953 he received the Coronation medal.
Most Referenced Works:
1 Legendary Tales of the Australian
Aborigines David Unaipon , 2001 selected work prose
2 Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines David Unaipon , W.
Ramsay Smith , Alice Bolingbroke Woodward (illustrator),
3 Native Legends David Unaipon , 1929
4 Aboriginal Legends. No. 1, Kinie Ger, the Native Cat David Unaipon
, 1929
5 Totemism: The Companionship of Earthly Creatures. David Unaipon ,
1929
In the 1990s, Unaipon's
manuscript of Aboriginal legends was edited and published as
Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines (2001), adopting his
original title and finally acknowledging his authorship.
An annual award, The David Unaipon Literary Award, for an
unpublished manuscript by and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
writer honours him. He is also depicted on the Australian $50 note.
David Unaipon was chosen as one of 150 great South Australians by a
panel of The Advertiser senior writers to celebrate the 150th
Anniversay of The Advertiser newspaper, 12 April 2008.(
Music by
Louis Morton 1910
(Source:
National Library of Australia)
Links
Reserve Bank of Australia - David Unaipon |
Australian
Dictionary of Biography |
Australian
War Memorial - Forging the Nation |
ABC:
RN: Awaye!
On the shore of a strange land: David Unaipon Audio file of David's Life - 54 minutes Wikipedia |
Adelaide
Proformat |
AustLit |
|
Activity 2: This site explores the inventions and writings of David
Unaipon
|
|
Did You Know? Unpublished Indigenous Writer – The David Unaipon Award This award is proudly supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and University of Queensland Press Past Winners: 2020 The Space between the Paperbark, Jazz Money 2019 No Award Given 2018 Making of Ruby Champion, Kirstie Parker 2017 Mirrored Pieces by Lisa Fuller 2016 Dancing Home, Paul Collis 2015 The First Octoroon or Report of an Experimental Child, Andrew Booth 2014 It’s Not Just Black and White, Lesley & Tammy Williams 2013 Heat and Light by Ellen Van Neerven 2012 Story, Siv Parker 2011 Mazin’ Grace, Dylan Coleman 2010 Purple Threads, Jeanine Leane 2009 The Boundary by Nicole Watson 2008 Every Secret Thing by Marie Munkara 2007 Skin Painting by Elizabeth Eileen Hodgson 2006 Me, Antman and Fleabag by Gayle Kennedy 2005 Anonymous Premonition by Yvette Holt 2004 Dust on Waterglass by Tara June Winch (published as Swallow the Air) 2003 Whispers of This Wik Woman by Fiona Doyle 2002 Home by Larissa Behrendt 2001 The Mish by Robert Lowe 2000 Bitin’ Back by Vivienne Cleven 1999 Of Muse, Meandering and Midnight by Samuel Wagan Watson 1998 Is That You Ruthie? by Ruth Hegarty 1997 When Darkness Falls by John Bodey 1996 Black Angels Red Blood by Steven McCarthy 1995 Warrigal's Way by Warrigal Anderson 1994 The Sausage Tree by Valda Gee and Rosalie Medcraft 1993 Bridge of Triangles by John Muk Muk Burke 1992 Sweet Water, Stolen Land by Philip McLaren 1991 Broken Dreams by Bill Dodd 1990 Caprice: A Stockman's Daughter by Doris Pilkington Garimara 1989 Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon |
Secondary
Online: Innovation is
the Australian way
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Literacy
Australian
Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Ethical Understanding
Australian
Curriculum General Capability:
Intercultural Understanding
Australian Curriculum: Cross Curriculum
Priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
1. Read the following
article.
2. Change the title of the article: "Colonial heritage, geographical isolation and resourcefulness are a few possible reasons why Aussies are top inventors" to include our Indigenous inventors.
3. Rewrite the paragraphs labelled "Local inventions" to include David Unaipon.
4. Rewrite the first paragraph under the heading "Inventions the spirit of Australia" showing your knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture. Include David Unaipon and his inventions.
5. Blog the issue -
"Why is it that such articles often fail to promote to the world Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inventors and inventions?"
Material sourced from
Australian
Dictionary of Biography
Austlit
Dinkum Aussies
Webjournals
Wikipedia
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