---
title: "That time a Canadian invented an e-tool that doubled as a shield"
description: "During WWII, a Canadian E-tool was invented that transformed a shovel into a shield. Find out why it was a lifesaver on We Are the Mighty."
date: "2022-04-20"
modified: "2023-04-13"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/human-shield-e-tool/"
categories:
  - "History"
  - "War History"
  - "World War I"
---

# That time a Canadian invented an e-tool that doubled as a shield

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17493791/origin.png>)

There's a long list of interesting technologies that almost made their way onto the front lines during the brutal days of World War I. [In trench warfare, as troops set into position to attempt a shot, they often became the enemy's target](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/trench-warfare-wasnt-so-dumb/>). They needed some way to protect themselves. To this end, Gen. Sir Sam Hughes, the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defense during the war, engineered a device that looked just like an infantryman's shovel, but slightly modified — with a hole. It was an e-tool.

This unique invention was intended to act as a shield for allied forces and was dubbed the "MacAdam shovel," named after Hughes' secretary, [Ena MacAdam](<https://freewords.substack.com/p/a-fantastic-failure-the-story-of>), who sparked the idea. The E-tool was made of durable metal and was standard-issue, making this shield a potential lifesaver across the service.

![e-tool macadam shovel](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17493792/origin.jpg>)
*A sniper demonstrates using the MacAdam shovel.*

In 1914, thousands of MacAdam shovels were produced for the Canadian army. However, the invention came with a few drawbacks.

First, the new shovels were made using a new, bullet-deflecting steel, making it much heavier than previous E-tools. Additionally, it didn't have a carrying handle — as it was supposed to stick in the ground — making it more cumbersome for troops.

![e-tool drawing](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17493793/origin.png>)
*A drawing of MacAdam shovel from Hughes' patent design request.*

Secondly, the shield shovel was mass produced to deflect incoming enemy rounds — but failed to do just that. Small caliber rounds managed to drill right through.

Lastly, and most obviously, the E-tool was used for digging, which is hard to do with a hole in your shovel. After testing the shield, many military minds refused to accept the shovel as a multi-use tool.

Hughes and MacAdams' brainchild was, ultimately, scrapped. Bummer.

Check out [Simple History](<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC510QYlOlKNyhy_zdQxnGYw>)'s video below for more details on this odd shield that couldn't protect much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvuZf4v4MLU

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com