Since the beginning of the 20th Century when Robert Allan's grandfather emigrated from Scotland to Canada, he treated the concept of naval architecture as a "science" rather than a trade. With little money but a lot of talent, the young man nurtured and grew a family business that would span three generations. From the time he accepted his first job as manager of a Canadian shipyard in 1919, Robert Allan started moving ideas from his head to innovative vessels. Armed with sketchbook and pencil, he opened his own naval architecture and marine engineering firm in his basement. All along, it was evident though that Robert Allan was exceptional. According to his grandson, Robert G.