Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the United States. From bridges and sidewalks to homes and skyscrapers, millions of structures are built using the versatile, durable mixture. But concrete is nothing new. In fact, its history dates back thousands of years. The concrete contractors at Central Pacific Specialty Contractors in Aiea, HI, are here to provide a brief history of the material.

In the Beginning

Naturally formed concrete has existed for more than 12 million years. In Israel, reactions between limestone and oil shale during spontaneous combustion formed a natural deposit of cement compounds. But the earliest known human usage occurred around 6500 BC in what is today the Middle East. People in Syria and northern Jordan used concrete to build homes and store water. Also, around 3,000 BC, the Egyptians used a form of concrete to build pyramids, mixing mud and straw to form bricks and gypsum and lime for mortars. 

Rome

Although Egyptians, Greeks, and other Middle Eastern cultures used concrete in their construction, the Romans utilized it the most. From 300 BC to 476 AD, Romans crafted everything from aqueducts to buildings using concrete, including the Colosseum and Pantheon. Romans utilized animal products as an early form of admixtures. It’s mostly thanks to the material’s durability that many ancient Roman ruins are still standing today. However, concrete fell out of fashion after the fall of the Roman Empire. From 500 A.D. to the 14th century, it practically disappeared. From the 14th to 18th centuries, it was slowly rediscovered and occasionally used in construction.

1800s

In 1824, Englishman Joseph Aspdin invented Portland cement. He named it after a rock quarry that produced incredibly strong stone. Portland cement is the most commonly used form of cement today. In 1836, Germans performed the first test of tensile and compressive strength on concrete. In 1889, the first reinforced concrete bridge, Alvord Lake Bridge, was erected in San Francisco. Two years later in 1891, the first concrete street in America was built in Bellefontaine, OH. 

1900s

By the 1900s, it had gained significant momentum and was used to craft numerous buildings, including the country’s first high rise, the Ingalls Building, erected in 1903. In 1908, concrete contractors and builders began using the material in residential construction, and in 1936, it was used to build the Hoover Dam. Throughout the next several years, many improvements were made to enhance the material’s strength and durability, as well as its aesthetic value. 

The concrete contractors at Central Pacific Specialty Contractors are the island’s go-to for residential and commercial repairs, coatings, and renovations. The locally-owned and operated business provides comprehensive, customized service to every customer. Using innovative products and techniques, they complete all projects in an efficient, timely manner. Call (808) 262-2527 to speak with a contractor about your next project. Or, visit the website to see examples of past work, including waterproofing, flatwork, and spall repair.