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1940

Lacey V. Murrow Bridge and Mount Baker Ridge Tunnels
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: BridgesEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940King County State: WAZip: 98040Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Lacey-V--Murrow-Bridge-and-Mount-Baker-Ridge-Tunnels/Creator: Murrow, Lacey V., Hadley, Homer

The 1.5 mile Lacey V. Murrow Bridge was the largest floating structure in the world and the first to be built of reinforced concrete when completed in 1940.  The bridge consisted of typically 300-foot long pontoons floated to site and rigidly connected to form a continuous structure and incorporated a unique floating concrete draw-span to allow for passage of marine traffic.  The original floating structure, constructed by Pontoon Bridge Builders, was accidentally sunk in 1990 during a major renovation effort and was replaced by 1993.

YearAdded:
2008
Image Credit: Courtesy Wikipedia/Walter SiegmundImage Caption: The bridge and tunnel project were key in improving eastern access to Seattle, a major commercial port on the eastern rim of the Pacific Ocean. Era_date_from: 1940
Pennsylvania Turnpike (Old Section)
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: Roads & Rails, TransportationEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike
Breezewood
HarrisburgState: PACountry: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/project/pennsylvania-tunpike-(old-section)/Creator: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

The Pennsylvania Turnpike was the first American paved highway of the automobile era in which tolls alone were expected to pay all project costs. The 160-mile roadway, which cut an east-west path from Pittsburgh to the state capital of Harrisburg, was considered a revolutionary example of transportation system design and served as a model for the Interstate Highway System.

YearAdded:
1988
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0)Image Caption: Pennsylvania Turnpike (Old Section)Era_date_from: 1940
Houston Municipal Airport Terminal
Society: AIAAMain Category: Aerospace & AviationSub Category: AviationEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940William P. Hobby AirportHoustonState: TXZip: 77061Country: USAWebsite: http://www.aiaahouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Horizons_2013_01_and_02_pg_26_The_1940_Air_Terminal.pdfCreator: Finger, Joseph , Works Progress Administration

The terminal, designed by noted architect Joseph Finger and built by the Works Progress Administration, is a rare remaining example of classic art deco airport architecture, featuring the distinctive design elements of that age: step forms, sweeping curves, and intricate geometrical patterns and motifs. Opened on September 28, 1940, the terminal was Houston’s gateway to the world, and served the fleets of Braniff Airlines and Eastern Air Lines.

YearAdded:
2009
Image Credit: Courtesy Wikipedia/Mlickliter (CC BY-SA 3.0)Image Caption: Houston Municipal Airport TerminalEra_date_from: 1940
Fort Peck Dam
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: DamsEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940Missouri RiverFort PeckState: MTZip: 59248Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Fort-Peck-Dam/Creator: Works Progress Administration

The Fort Peck Dam was a cornerstone project of the Works Progress Administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. It required the largest construction plant and workforce since the construction of the Panama Canal and peaked at 11,000 workers. It was the largest dam of any type in the world for over 30 years.

YearAdded:
1990
Image Credit: Courtesy U.S. Army Corps of EngineersImage Caption: Fort Peck DamEra_date_from: 1940
Arroyo Seco Parkway
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: Roads & RailsEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940Pasadena to Los AngelesLos AngelosState: CACountry: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/project/arroyo-seco-parkway/Creator: Allen, T.D.

With its landscaped embankments, limited access, and depressed roadway, Arroyo Seco Parkway (now known as the Pasadena Freeway) became the prototype of the Los Angeles freeway system. Motorists enjoy a scenic drive featuring landscaped embankments lush with native chaparral. The curving alignment traverses a chain of small parks shaded by sycamores and eucalyptus and exposed views of the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains.

YearAdded:
1999
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/prayitno (CC BY 2.0) Image Caption: Arroyo Seco Parkway (also called the Pasadena Freeway) as it is seen today by thousands of commutersEra_date_from: 1940
Society: ASMEMain Category: Mechanical, RoadSub Category: Road TransportationEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940US Marine Corps Air-Ground MuseumQuanticoState: VAZip: A 22134Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-m-z/road-and-off-road-transportation/-193-alligator-amphibian-%281940%29Creator: Roebling, Donald
The "Alligator" amphibian tractor is the progenitor of all amphibian assault vehicles used since 1941, a pioneer venture both in its design and the materials used in its construction. Donald Roebling, a grandson of Colonel Washington Roebling (designer of the Brooklyn Bridge), built an amphibian tractor to rescue victims of Florida's devastating hurricanes (particularly those in 1926, 1928, and 1932 that hit southern Florida).
YearAdded:
1997
Image Credit: Public Domain (US Marine Corps)Image Caption: An Alligator Amphibian on the slope of a Landing Craft Tank, armed with machine gunsEra_date_from: 1940
Thermo King© C Refrigeration Unit
Society: ASMEMain Category: MechanicalSub Category: Environmental ControlEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1940Thermo King© CorporationMinneapolisState: MNZip: 55420Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-a-l/environmental-control/-192-thermo-king%C2%A9-c-refrigeration-unit-%281940%29, https://www.asme.org/getmedia/565fee1c-1fa3-49e0-96f4-d5ebc1b499e1/192-Thermo-King-Refrigeration-Unit.aspxCreator: Jones, Frederick M., Numero, Joseph A.

The refrigeration units placed on trucks in 1938 by Thermo King Corp. revolutionized the transportation of perishable foods. Today they are a common sight on streets everywhere. Consumer demand for meat, poultry, produce and dairy products increased at an astounding rate. These installations and subsequent ones on refrigerated vehicles, ships, and railroads have had worldwide impact on the preservation of food and other perishables during distribution.

YearAdded:
1996
Image Credit: Courtesy of ASMEImage Caption: Thermo King© C Refrigeration UnitEra_date_from: 1940
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Innovations

Thermo King© C Refrigeration Unit

The refrigeration units placed on trucks in 1938 by Thermo King Corp. revolutionized the transportation of perishable foods. Today they are a common sight on streets everywhere. Consumer demand for meat, poultry, produce and dairy products increased at an astounding rate. These installations and…

Read More
The "Alligator" amphibian tractor is the progenitor of all amphibian assault vehicles used since 1941, a pioneer venture both in its design and the materials used in its construction. Donald Roebling, a grandson of Colonel Washington Roebling (designer of the Brooklyn Bridge), built an amphibian… Read More
Arroyo Seco Parkway

With its landscaped embankments, limited access, and depressed roadway, Arroyo Seco Parkway (now known as the Pasadena Freeway) became the prototype of the Los Angeles freeway system. Motorists enjoy a scenic drive featuring landscaped embankments lush with native chaparral. The curving…

Read More
Fort Peck Dam

The Fort Peck Dam was a cornerstone project of the Works Progress Administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. It required the largest construction plant and workforce since the construction of the Panama Canal and peaked at 11,000 workers. It was the largest dam of any type in the world…

Read More
Houston Municipal Airport Terminal

The terminal, designed by noted architect Joseph Finger and built by the Works Progress Administration, is a rare remaining example of classic art deco airport architecture, featuring the distinctive design elements of that age: step forms, sweeping curves, and intricate geometrical patterns and…

Read More
Pennsylvania Turnpike (Old Section)

The Pennsylvania Turnpike was the first American paved highway of the automobile era in which tolls alone were expected to pay all project costs. The 160-mile roadway, which cut an east-west path from Pittsburgh to the state capital of Harrisburg, was considered a revolutionary example of…

Read More
Lacey V. Murrow Bridge and Mount Baker Ridge Tunnels

The 1.5 mile Lacey V. Murrow Bridge was the largest floating structure in the world and the first to be built of reinforced concrete when completed in 1940.  The bridge consisted of typically 300-foot long pontoons floated to site and rigidly connected to form a continuous structure and…

Read More

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