New Brunswick in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Air-Inflated Double-Layer Polyethylene Greenhouse
Historic Landmark of Agricultural Engineering
courtesy Rutgers University, 2004
1. Air-Inflated Greenhouse Marker
A crucial step in the evolution of modern plant agriculture was the development of low-cost, energy-efficient greenhouse structures that provide optimum growing conditions year-round.
In 1964, Professor William J. Roberts developed the first air-inflated double-layer polyethylene greenhouse covering system at Cook College, Rutgers University.
Air-inflated double-layer polyethylene greenhouse covering systems were quickly and widely adopted throughout the United States and across the world, primarily due to the relatively low installation costs, adequate light transmission, and significant insulating properties. Today, more than half of all the greenhouses worldwide are covered with the air-inflated double-layer polyethylene covering system.
Erected 2004 by American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the ASAE Historic Landmarks of Agricultural Engineering series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 40° 28.334′ N, 74° 26.229′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, in Greater Princeton, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Selman Waksman and Antibiotics (approx. 0.6 miles away); Milestones in Microbiology (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Indian Trail (approx. one mile away); The Ravine Bridge (approx. one
courtesy Rutgers University, 2004
2. Air-Inflated Greenhouse and Marker
This is the original greenhouse built in 1964.
Also see . . . Historic Landmarks of Agricultural Engineering. - List of ASAE/ASABE historical markers. (Submitted on April 8, 2022.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
