The Olympics are underway, football is around the corner, and that means trade show season is about to begin. Everyone loves a good competition on sports trivia, so why not one on industry trivia? It’s time to test your industry knowledge!
Who invented the first metal truss connector plate?
Of course everyone should already know this! The first metal truss connector plate was invented in Florida in 1952 by A. Carroll Sanford (founder of Sanford Industries in Pompano Beach, Florida).
Who is J. Calvin Jureit?
John Calvin “Cal” Jureit invented Gang Nail truss connector plates in 1955 and formed the company Gang-Nails Inc. Born on July 24, 1918 in Baltimore, Maryland, Cal got his engineering degree from Georgia Tech after WWII. The invention of the truss connector plate is widely credited for the start of affordable housing and increase in building durability. Cal passed away unexpectedly on September 9, 2005 after suffering a fall.
When were trusses first found to be used in civilization?
Trusses were first used in primitive lake dwellings during the early Bronze Age, about 2500 BC. The Greeks also used trusses extensively in roofing, and trusses were used for various construction purposes in the European Middle Ages.
What department store catalogue used to sell homes?
Sears Roebuck provided about 75,000 families homes from 1908 to 1940. Frank W. Kushel came up with the idea. The true Ready-Cut House package, first offered about 1914, included plans, specifications, and detailed assembly instructions, along with pre-cut and factory-fitted lumber and all other building materials except masonry.
At the time of the American Revolution, why was it so difficult to obtain nails?
Because England was the largest manufacturer of nails in the world. It was so hard to get nails that abandoned houses were burned down when families moved so they could take the nails with them.
When were building codes developed in the US?
The first building codes in the United States were established in 1625 by addressing fire safety and specified materials for roof coverings. Building codes in general can be traced back to Hammurabi, founder of the Babylonian Empire about 2000 BC and beyond as many experts claim they go back at least 4,000 years.
Who invented the first nail gun?
Morris S. Pynoos invented the first nail gun to help build Howard Hughes’ famed aircraft, the Spruce Goose, the largest airplane ever constructed. Specifically, it was used to nail together the wooden fuselage. Pynoos didn’t stop with nail guns, however, and he went on to build the historic One Wilshire building, was responsible for other buildings in Los Angeles, constructed homes designed by premier architects, was a prominent philanthropist, and conceived the first corporate carpooling plan in the city to ease congestion.
Our industry is and has been filled with great minds that have impacted not only the way we currently build but how the world builds. We need to continue to find and support these individuals who are working on the next great idea, invention, or process. The industry needs to continue to evolve and develop products that will be more cost effective, environmentally friendly, and readily available.