Like many of us today, I have always dreamed of going to new places and new experiences. Ever since I can remember, everything was a vehicle or a road. An open pair of children's scissors became a motorcycle and things that I picked up frequently became an airplane.

 A real highlight came in 1939. New York was host to the Worlds Fair and my father had an opportunity to take the family.  He had just bought a new Lincoln Zephyr V-12. Lincoln advertised that you could hear the clock at 100mph. Dad felt that it was his responsibility to assure truth in advertising, and you could hear the clock. After satisfying his responsibility, we started off to New York with a new tire in the trunk and another on the roof.

The trip to New York gave us a real opportunity to see the "modern highway" system. Few roads were more than two lanes and no great effort was given to highway safety. Along the way we observed many severe accidents. Often, in the accident, there were people covered with sheets. Many of the cars on the road were built on wooden frames and steel covering was tacked into place. Tire construction was satisfactory to "roll round town" but not for long, high speed trips (as evidenced by our spares). After all, REALISTICALLY, if anyone wanted to go between towns THEY COULD TAKE A TRAIN, BUS OR AIRPLANE.

When we arrived at the Fair, one focal point stood out. The Trilon and Perisphere were the center of attraction and symbol for the Fair. The Trilon was a triangular spire pointing up to symbolize vision. The Perisphere held the focus of the Fair, THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, the vision of Norman Bel Geddes . His vision included growth of tremendous cities and A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT WOULD ALLOW TRAVELERS TO MOVE AT 100MPH BETWEEN CITIES.  There were other impressive things at the fair, first TV, Heinz little pickle jars given out, roadway surface made from old rubber tires (Ford exhibit), but the WORLD OF TOMORROW, WITH 100 MPH ROADS has had the greatest impact in our society.

By the way, with the help of the two spares and one we purchased on the road, we made it safely home. The one we picked up on the road was a truck tire not designed for the Lincoln, but it got us home.

In 1939 the country was still in a depression. The Roosevelt administration was intrigued by Bel Geddes dream, not for transportation, but as a jobs program. Roosevelt had a train to take him to his vacation sites in Campobello, New Brunswick and Warm Springs Georgia, so he didn't need an Interstate system.

CONGRESS PASSED THE FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY ACT OF 1944 THAT ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. AS A PART OF THAT BILL THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS (BPR, NOW FHWA) WAS GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPING INTERSTATE DESIGN STANDARDS. In addition to development of standards for design, construction and administration a preliminary system was to be planned. Funding, 50/50, was only provided for national highways and "feeder" roadways.

Between 1944 and 1955 I had a "Blip" which included: high school graduation, beginning college, Tennessee Highway Department, City of Nashville, marriage, Korean War, and college graduation. All were exciting and informative.

In 1953 Dwight Eisenhower was elected president. His military background made him aware of the need for a National transportation system for efficient access to key locations within the country. The system had been approved in 1944 but there was no zeal for funding. All of the principal cities wanted money for circumferential and radial roadways to serve the central city (reflected in early Interstate Route alignment and planning). People could still use train, bus and airplane for travel between cities.

The President knew that a responsible transportation plan would benefit the total nation. In an effort to develop financing for the system the administration developed and promoted a bond program. This program failed in 1955.

The program was defeated but not the President. In 1955 he appointed a team to develop a funding source. The team membership appointments were pure genius. The membership included shareholders that would eventually both contribute to the funding and share in the benefit.

Chairman, General Lucius Clay, Retired - Engineer
"Frank" Turner - Bureau of Public Roads
Steve Bechtel - Bechtel Corporation
Sloan Colt - Banker
Bill Roberts - Allison-Chalmers
Dave Beck - International Brotherhood of Teamsters