ROAD EQUIPMENT
The asphalt paver was developed by the Charles Burris Co., that originally manufactured material handling systems. In 1929 the Chicago Testing Laboratory approached them to use their material loaders to construct asphalt roads.
This did not result in a partnership but Barber Greene did develop a machine based on the concrete pavers of the day that mixed and placed the concrete in a single process. This setup did not prove as effective as desired and the processes were separated and the modern paver was on its way.
In 1933 the independent float screed was invented and when combined with the tamper bar provided for uniform material density and thickness.
Chuck Burris filed for a patent a "Machine for and process of laying roads" on 10 April 1936 and received patent U.S. Patent 2,138,828 on 6 December 1938.
The main features of the paver developed by the Charles Burris Co. have been incorporated into most pavers since, although improvements have been made to control of the machine.