VIDEO: Concrete paving - you’ve come a long way, baby!

It’s 1948. The grand scheme of creating an Interstate Highway system in the US is still barely a twinkle in President Dwight Eisenhower’s military eye. Highway construction improved greatly in the late 1950s and early 1960s as the American contractors became more mechanized and therefore efficient at laying roads faster and of better quality. But how did they build a road back then in 1948? Thanks to Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, we have a movie of just how a concrete highway was created. The constr
July 14, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
It’s 1948. The grand scheme of creating an Interstate Highway system in the US is still barely a twinkle in President Dwight Eisenhower’s military eye. Highway construction improved greatly in the late 1950s and early 1960s as the American contractors became more mechanized and therefore efficient at laying roads faster and of better quality.

But how did they build a road back then in 1948?

Thanks to Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, we have a movie of just how a concrete highway was created. The construction site looked more like a chain gang from a nearby prison that a professionally done infrastructure project.

Viewers just might be able to feel the sun’s heat as workers toil into the long day.

If this video piqued your curiosity about road building projects back then, %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal click here Visit youtube Page false https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neaoGclvips false false%> to see a 1951 film from the Bethlehem Steel Company. Things have apparently moved on since 1948 and steel is making inroads. At least this film is in colour.

Related Content

  • INTERMAT launch for Topcon total stations
    January 6, 2017
    A new range of reflectorless total stations has been developed by Topcon. Called the ES series, the new models also feature TSshield – a Topcon Group innovation using a multi-function telematics-based communication module that locates the instrument.
    Read More
  • Navgeocom acquired by Hexagon
    January 6, 2017
    Leica Geosystems is to expand its operations following a move by its parent, Hexagon. Under the terms of this deal, Hexagon will acquire all outstanding shares of Navgeocom, which is the largest Russian distributor for Leica Geosystems. The acquisition marks another step in Hexagon's global distribution strategy, which aims to establish a strong direct presence in key markets. This will help Hexagon’s presence in Russia, which is benefiting from significant expenditure on infrastructure development at prese
    Read More
  • Navgeocom acquired by Hexagon
    January 30, 2013
    Leica Geosystems is to expand its operations following a move by its parent, Hexagon. Under the terms of this deal, Hexagon will acquire all outstanding shares of Navgeocom, which is the largest Russian distributor for Leica Geosystems. The acquisition marks another step in Hexagon's global distribution strategy, which aims to establish a strong direct presence in key markets. This will help Hexagon’s presence in Russia, which is benefiting from significant expenditure on infrastructure development at prese
    Read More
  • Productive shredding of materials for recycling from the ZB Group
    March 15, 2013
    The powerful THOR 1721K from the ZB Group in Spain offers high production shredding of materials for recycling purposes. This sophisticated, self-propelled, heavy duty, mobile hammer shredder unit is a high performance, autonomous machine that can shred and recycle ferrous and non-ferrous materials, reinforced concrete, and some other materials also.
    Read More

Highlighted Content