Concrete Block
THE EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY OF CONCRETE BLOCK IN AMERICA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION
BY JAMES P. HALL
CHAIRED BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DUNCAN C. CAMPBELL, MSHP BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA APRIL 2009
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THE DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY OF CONCRETE BLOCK IN AMERICA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENETS For the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION By JAMES P. HALL
Committee Approval: _______________________________________________ Committee Chairman – Duncan Campbell, MSHP
_______________________________________________ Committee Member – Francis Parker, Ph. D. _______________________________________________ Committee Member – Susan Lankford, MSHP _______________________________________________
________________ Date
________________ Date ________________ Date ________________
Departmental Approval: _______________________________________________ Department of Architecture – Mahesh Senagala ________________ Date
Graduate Office Check: _______________________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School – Robert Morris, Ph. D. ________________ Date
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Abstract List of Figures List of Concrete Block Related Patents Introduction Concrete: Primer Concrete: A Brief History Concrete Block: An Early History Portland Cement The Commercialization of Concrete Block Concrete Block On The World Stage: The1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo Conclusion Work Cited Appendix
4 5 6 8 10 13 17 19 32 37 54 65 70 73
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would first and foremost like to thank my fiancé and soon to be wife, Jenica Duval, for all the support she has given me over these last two years. Without her encouragement, understanding, and love I would have not accomplished this thesis or degree. I would like to extend the deepest gratitude to
BY JAMES P. HALL
CHAIRED BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DUNCAN C. CAMPBELL, MSHP BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA APRIL 2009
2
THE DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY OF CONCRETE BLOCK IN AMERICA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENETS For the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION By JAMES P. HALL
Committee Approval: _______________________________________________ Committee Chairman – Duncan Campbell, MSHP
_______________________________________________ Committee Member – Francis Parker, Ph. D. _______________________________________________ Committee Member – Susan Lankford, MSHP _______________________________________________
________________ Date
________________ Date ________________ Date ________________
Departmental Approval: _______________________________________________ Department of Architecture – Mahesh Senagala ________________ Date
Graduate Office Check: _______________________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School – Robert Morris, Ph. D. ________________ Date
3
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Abstract List of Figures List of Concrete Block Related Patents Introduction Concrete: Primer Concrete: A Brief History Concrete Block: An Early History Portland Cement The Commercialization of Concrete Block Concrete Block On The World Stage: The1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo Conclusion Work Cited Appendix
4 5 6 8 10 13 17 19 32 37 54 65 70 73
4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would first and foremost like to thank my fiancé and soon to be wife, Jenica Duval, for all the support she has given me over these last two years. Without her encouragement, understanding, and love I would have not accomplished this thesis or degree. I would like to extend the deepest gratitude to
Cited: Patent 1: Ambrose Foster & E. A. Messinger, Building Block, Patent No. 12,264, Jan. 16, 1855. Patent 2: Thomas B. Rhodes, Improvement in Building-Blocks, Patent No. 149,678, April, 14, 1874.