The ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY That Changed Roads FOREVER!
Tarmac, a common road material, was accidentally invented in 1902 by Edgar Hulie. Before tarmac, roads were made using a method called "macadam," which used crushed stone and stone dust. However, with the invention of cars, the stone dust would fly off, ruining the roads. Edgar Hulie discovered tarmac when he saw a smooth patch of road where tar and waste slag had accidentally mixed and hardened. This gave him the idea to use tar and waste slag instead of stone dust. He patented his invention, and the first tarmac road was built in Nottingham. Although Edgar was not a successful businessman, his invention changed road construction forever.
Key Vocabulary
A person who is highly successful and wealthy, often implying a lavish lifestyle.
Examples:
- After his startup went public, he became a true baller, buying multiple mansions and a private jet.
- She's a baller in the tech industry, constantly launching innovative products and setting new trends.
- The young entrepreneur proved himself to be a baller by consistently outperforming his competitors.
A type of road construction developed in the early 19th century, characterized by layers of crushed stone compacted together.
Examples:
- The old country lane was still made of macadam, making for a bumpy but scenic drive.
- Engineers studied the principles of macadam to understand early road-building techniques.
- Before asphalt, macadam roads were considered a significant advancement in transportation infrastructure.
An acronym for 'also known as,' used to introduce an alternative name or identity.
Examples:
- The famous artist, aka 'The Brushstroke Master,' unveiled his latest collection.
- Dr. Smith, aka 'The Problem Solver,' was renowned for finding solutions to complex issues.
- The secret agent, aka 'Agent Phoenix,' completed the mission with precision.
Of very poor quality; worthless or ineffective.
Examples:
- The new software update was crap; it crashed constantly and was difficult to use.
- He admitted his business plan was crap, needing a complete overhaul to succeed.
- She found the customer service to be crap, with no one willing to help resolve her issue.
An informal term for a man.
Examples:
- The bloke at the corner store always has a friendly smile and a good story.
- He's a reliable bloke; you can always count on him to get things done.
- I saw an interesting bloke walking his dog in the park this morning.
To throw or discard something casually or carelessly.
Examples:
- Just chuck your coat on the chair when you come in.
- He decided to chuck the old, broken garden tools in the bin.
- Don't just chuck your trash anywhere; use the designated receptacles.
A road surface material consisting of crushed stone mixed with tar, widely used for roads and other paved areas.
Examples:
- The airplane taxied slowly across the tarmac before takeoff.
- Workers were laying down new tarmac on the recently resurfaced road.
- The playground had a smooth tarmac surface, perfect for riding scooters.
New, often implying that something is unnecessarily complicated or novel, typically used in the phrase 'new-fangled'.
Examples:
- My grandmother found the new-fangled smart home devices confusing to operate.
- He was skeptical of all the new-fangled gadgets, preferring simpler, traditional tools.
- The company was eager to adopt new-fangled technologies to improve efficiency.
The waste material left over after metal has been separated from its ore during smelting.
Examples:
- The ironworks produced tons of slag as a byproduct of its operations.
- Engineers considered ways to repurpose the industrial slag into useful construction materials.
- The site of the old furnace was still covered with piles of black slag.
Holes or depressions in a road surface, typically caused by wear or weathering.
Examples:
- The car hit a large pothole, causing a jolt and a loud thud.
- City crews were out filling potholes after the harsh winter.
- Cyclists need to be careful to avoid the numerous potholes on this street.
An act of spilling, or the material that has been spilled.
Examples:
- A small spillage of coffee stained the new carpet.
- Emergency services were called to contain a chemical spillage on the highway.
- The cleanup crew quickly dealt with the spillage of oil in the warehouse.
A colloquial abbreviation for 'disrespect' or 'disadvantage', often used in informal speech to mean to criticize or put down.
Examples:
- He didn't mean to dis his teammate, but his comment came across as critical.
- The artist felt that the negative review was a major dis to his hard work.
- You shouldn't dis someone's efforts, especially when they are trying their best.
A thick, dark, sticky liquid obtained from wood or coal, used in road construction and as a preservative.
Examples:
- The roofer applied hot tar to seal the flat roof.
- Ancient civilizations used tar for waterproofing boats.
- The road crew was heating the tar in a large kettle before applying it to the surface.
Relating to motor vehicles; concerned with the design, manufacture, or repair of automobiles.
Examples:
- The automotive industry is constantly innovating with electric vehicles.
- He has a deep interest in automotive engineering and classic cars.
- The company specializes in manufacturing high-performance automotive parts.
Curved or bulging outward like the exterior of a sphere.
Examples:
- The building had a unique design with a large convex facade.
- The lens of the telescope was convex to magnify distant objects.
- The artist painted the scene on a convex surface, creating a distorted yet intriguing effect.
Appeared or came into existence, especially suddenly or unexpectedly.
Examples:
- A solution to the complex problem finally materialized after weeks of effort.
- Just as we were losing hope, a new opportunity materialized.
- The lost keys unexpectedly materialized on the kitchen counter.
A person who creates or designs something that has not existed before.
Examples:
- Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor, holding numerous patents.
- The young inventor showcased her prototype at the science fair.
- Being an inventor requires both creativity and perseverance.
A substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together, but not chemically combined.
Examples:
- The chef prepared a delicious mixture of herbs and spices for the marinade.
- The concrete was a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel.
- The artist created a unique color by combining a mixture of different paints.
A material or structure formed from a mass of fragments or particles adhering together.
Examples:
- Gravel and sand are common types of aggregate used in construction.
- The concrete mix required a specific ratio of cement to aggregate.
- The geologist studied the aggregate composition of the rock samples.
Planned undertakings or tasks, often involving a significant amount of effort and resources, typically aimed at achieving a particular goal.
Examples:
- The construction company is currently working on several large-scale infrastructure projects.
- The team collaborated on various projects to develop new software features.
- She managed a portfolio of diverse projects, from marketing campaigns to product launches.