Category: Roll of Honor

1881 – 1952 After an early career at contracting, survey work and construction (one of his earliest works being the design and construction of the Incline Railway up Mt. Manitou in Colorado) he entered the paving field as a maintenance engineer for the city of Los Angeles. During World War I, he served as Captain … Continue reading Claude L. McKesson

Bernard E. Gray, one of the world’s foremost highway engineers, had a long and distinguished career with the Asphalt Institute, culminating in his election as President in 1947. As such, he led the International organization through a period of considerable growth until his retirement in 1954. Mr. Gray was one of asphalt’s most effective publicists. … Continue reading Bernard Elbert Gray

The work of Alvin C. Benkelman on the structural design of flexible pavements has had an international impact. In addition, a device that he was instrumental in developing is now used throughout the world for measuring deflections of flexible pavements under loaded vehicles. Called the “Benkelman Beam”, it was developed when he was research engineer … Continue reading Alvin C. Benkelman

1878 – 1941 When James Edmund Pennybacker was born on New Year’s Day in 1878, America’s roads were meager at best. During his lifetime, however, J. E. Pennybacker’s resourcefulness and foresight made significant contributions toward developing a road building program that was to become a model for the entire world. Born in Franklin, West Virginia, … Continue reading James E. Pennybacker

Clifford Richardson, known internationally as an authority on asphalt pavements, published the first major treatise on the subject. Appearing in 1904, it was entitled “The Modern Asphalt Pavement.”  As he also wrote extensively in the field of industrial chemistry, the prominent role of chemistry in the asphalt industry is due in large part to his … Continue reading Clifford Richardson

1897 – 1963 During summer vacations from college, Gene Abson worked with Lester Kirschbraun, founder of the Chicago Paving Laboratory. Upon his graduation, he joined the laboratory as a chemist. In 1922, Mr. Kirschbraun left to become director of research for the Flintkote Company. At that time,  Abson and Hugh Skidmore, first President of the … Continue reading Gene Abson

During 44 years of fruitful service with the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads (BPR), Jarl T. Pauls accomplished much valuable research on bituminous paving mixes and was instrumental in the development of low-cost asphalt highways. He worked both in the Bituminous Section of the Physical Research Division of the Bureau and on projects in the … Continue reading Jarl T. Pauls

A noted author, professor and consulting engineer in the field of highway engineering, Arthur Blanchard was particularly active in the study of asphalt, as well as many other substances, as a highway construction material. As an author, he wrote several books and numerous engineering articles. But perhaps one of his most significant achievements was an … Continue reading Arthur H. Blanchard

During his many years in the asphalt industry, H.B. Pullar was responsible for important improvements in manufacturing procedures. He was also and outstanding pioneer in education as regards asphalt technology. He became associated with the Asphalt Institute at its inception and contributed greatly to its growth while serving in many capacities. In 1907 Mr. Pullar … Continue reading H. B. Pullar