History of Asphalt Pavers
History of Asphalt Pavers
An asphalt paver is a machine that makes roads through the process of distributing and paving asphalt. The machine has played an important part in helping to build roads and highways.
Asphalt pavers were created in 1934 by the Barber-Greene Co. Barber-Greene was founded in 1916 by Harry H. Barber and William B. Greene. This company was created to sell material handling machines in order to mechanize small manual tasks in an economical way.
Introduction
Barber-Greene was approached by members of the Chicago Testing Laboratory in 1929. The laboratory wanted to use loaders to help construct highways and streets. Barber-Greene did not go into business with Chicago Testing Laboratories but they were introduced to the asphalt business through this event.
The Great Depression
The company was barely surviving during the Great Depression, however, in 1934 Barber-Greene created the asphalt paver.
Success
After the Great Depression, Barber-Greene asphalt pavers became a huge success. They created a model of asphalt paver, the floating screed, and this paver became the standard prototype within the industry for asphalt pavers.
Modern Pavers
For more than 50 years the asphalt paver has remained relatively unchanged but currently some improved features are in use. These features include hydrostatic closed-loop systems, the ability to hydraulically change the screed width and the material transfer vehicle, which feeds asphalt to the paver when needed.