Contrary to what many people believe, asphalt has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes. For example, the Romans used asphalt to seal their aqueducts and baths. The first known use of asphalt for roadways dates even further back; a tablet from 625 B.C. records the paving of a Babylonian street with burned brick and asphalt. In more recent times, Sir Walter Raleigh used asphalt to re-caulk and repair his ships near the Venezuelan coast.
The acceptance of asphalt as a paving material in the Western world was slowed by the lack of good road-building techniques. By the early 1800s, sufficient engineering knowledge had been acquired to allow the first extensive use of asphalt to construct roads in Scotland and England.
The United States did not begin to use asphalt for streets until the 1860s. By the turn of the century, the growing popularity of the automobile and an expanding population led to the demand for an improved network of quality roads. This, in turn, drove the demand to find better methods of road building and the development of better equipment for spreading asphalt.
It was not until the 1930s that asphalt production in the U.S. was able to keep pace with the demand. Technology continued to evolve, especially immediately before and during World War II due to the special needs of the military. The post-war “boom” years saw further demands placed on the asphalt industry in terms of both production and innovation.
Since 1980, even more uses for asphalt have become common as more and more engineers have come to appreciate the versatility and recyclability of asphalt. From airport runways to liners for fish hatcheries, the new uses for asphalt prove that the material’s history is far from complete.
At MH Greeson, we are proud to be part of the ever-changing history of asphalt. We provide quality asphalt maintenance services, including asphalt crack repairs, asphalt sealcoating and parking lot striping, at competitive prices. Our highly trained crews have the experience to handle any job in Marietta, Atlanta metropolitan area or in most locations throughout North Georgia. Request a free quote by completing the online form or calling us at 770-335-2983.
