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Publications [#268174] of Henry Petroski

Papers Published

  1. Petroski, H, On the road, American Scientist, vol. 94 no. 5 (January, 2006), pp. 396-399, Sigma Xi, ISSN 0003-0996 [doi]
    (last updated on 2023/06/01)

    Abstract:
    In 1913, Carl Graham Fisher put forward the idea of transcontinental road that included north-south routes, east-west routes and a diagonal road across the country. With the proliferation of numerous named roads throughout the country, the America Association of State Highway Officials rationalized the system of roads and road signs across the nation in 1925. When Dwight Eisenhower assumed presidency in 1953, the formation of a National Highway Authority (NHA) was set forth. Three years later in 1956, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was finally passed. The bill signed by Eisenhower authorized a 12-year $25 billion project for the construction of a National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. By 1986, 97% of the system was already operational. To make the Interstate System user-friendly, improvements of the legibility of highway signs were proposed leading to the modernization of the Federal Highway Agency's (FHA) alphabets. The new typeface was christened Clearview and in 2004 it was granted interim approval by the FHA.


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