Tools of the Trade

Before widespread computer use, the following tools were used by draftsmen, designers, and construction personnel to create and implement construction plans for the Interstate project.

Calculators

At the time of the Interstate construction, MaineDOT had only one hand held calculator, a Hewlett Packard which cost $2,000 dollars. It could be checked out for only one hour at a time!

Construction personnel in the field had mechanical calculators.

In general, all personnel involved with the Interstate project had to know how to calculate approximations "in their heads," because these early calculators could only do calculations to two decimal places.

Drafting Table

This was where drafting and designing work was done.

Design and Drafting Tools

Like auto mechanics, each designer and draftsman had to
supply their own drafting tools (scales, curve templates, T-squares, etc). 
The MaineDOT at that time supplied only leads for mechanical pencils,
drafting paper to design on, and mylar for final prints.
All design work was done by hand.

This page last updated on 7/17/06