1866 – 1955
The originator of the ductility and penetration tests for asphalts, Allan W. Dow died December 8, 1955 at the age of 89 at his home in New Milford, Connecticut.
Mr. Dow graduated in 1888 from the Columbia School of Mines and served as assistant chemist for the Barber Asphalt Paving Company from 1889 to 1894. In 1895 he became Inspector of Paving for the District of Columbia, leaving this position in 1906 to associate himself with Mr. Francis P. Smith in the firm of Dow and Smith, consulting engineers in road paving and paving materials in New York City. With the death of Mr. Smith in 1932, the firm was incorporated under the name of A. W. Dow, Inc. He was also Vice President and Chief Engineer of Colprovia Roads, Inc., from 1935 to 1939.
Besides his accomplishments in devising the ductility and penetration tests, Mr. Dow was widely known for his other activities in the field of asphalt paving and technology and was in constant demand both in the United States and abroad for his advice in these fields. He was a member of the following scientific and technical societies:
Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Society for Testing & Materials
American Society of Municipal Engineers
American Chemical Society
Permanent International Association of Road Congresses
International Association for Testing Materials
American Road Builders’ Association
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Elected: 1965