Over the centuries many different types of pavements have been invented by humans to make travel easier and keep things moving regardless of the weather. Beginning around 300 BC the Romans built first-class roads, many of which are still in use. The Empire's engineers designed highways that were crowned for drainage, had curbing, and were often paved with cut rock or cobble stones.

Later European civilizations lacked the Roman ingenuity and sometimes used corduroy for paving. Not old pants, but logs laid perpendicular to the roadway. Early in the 19th century "Macadam" was popular. Its f...