Asphalt Apr 2026

As cars replaced horses, the demand for smooth, durable roads skyrocketed.

: In 1870, Belgian chemist Edmund J. DeSmedt laid the first true asphalt pavement in the U.S. in Newark, New Jersey. The Modern Era asphalt

: Today, asphalt is high-tech. Modern pavers use automation and thermal mapping to ensure the mix is laid at the perfect temperature (usually between 150°C and 170°C) to prevent cracks. The Future of the Road As cars replaced horses, the demand for smooth,

: Later builders realized that adding hot tar to these stones reduced dust and wear, creating "tarmacadam" (tarmac). in Newark, New Jersey

Modern asphalt began with two Scottish engineers in the early 19th century:

: The Babylonians used it as a mortar for brick walls and as a sealant for their famed Hanging Gardens .