Truss Tech Industries history

1844: Thomas W. Caleb Pratt patented another combination wood and iron bridge truss.

In 1952, in Pompano Beach Florida, after experimenting with plywood gusset plates and varying concoctions and combinations of glue, staples, nails and screws, the metal plate connected engineered wood truss was invented and patented.

1958: Klaisler Manufacturing opened its doors as one of the first truss roller manufacturers.

Ed Callahan, P.E. of Gang-Nail was the first full-time managing director of TPI, then located in Washington, D.C. After formulation began in 1959, TPI-60, “Design Specification for Light Metal Plate Connected Timber Trusses,” was published by TPI.

He has been involved in the industry since the 1960’s and served as both Chairman of TPI’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and president of the organization.

The Truss Plate Institute (TPI) has been serving the truss industry since 1961.

Inevitably, computers were also used to develop floor trusses, which were invented in 1970 by Jack Schmitt of Walled Lake, MI, as well as wall panel and complete house designs and layouts.

Robert Brooker developed the first truss engineering computer software package sold with the computer source code, based on TPI’s 1974 design criteria.

Howe based his design on the limited stress analysis information available at that time, the first designer to do so since previous trusses were unadaptable to analysis (Edwards 1976:156-157). The Howe truss used metal vertical tension rods and timber diagonal compression members.

He was the owner of Universal Building Components (UBC), 1986 President of WTCA and a lifetime member of the WTCA Top Chord Club.

In 1987 WTCA membership increased over 20 percent or 73 members.

The handbook development process began in 1988 with a draft manuscript by Ed Callahan, P.E. that was edited and recompiled by Kirk Grundahl, Pam Dinsmore and Jay Edgar.

The PBS series Hometime ran a five part series starting on November 9, 1991 entitled “Home of the Future.” Working with several industries including WTCA, Hometime’s futuristic house incorporated advanced design concepts, technologies and materials such as trusses.

He also served on the board of directors of the Florida Forestry Association and in 1992 was named as Automated Builders’ James R. Price Achievement in Housing award winner.

The Standard Practice for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Design Responsibilities (WTCA1-1995) was approved as an official WTCA document.

WTCA approved $25,000 in funding to the NAHB Research Center (NAHBRC)(link is external) for 1999.

Rene-Paul Lemyre invented Open Joist 2000, a glued finger jointed open web floor truss with a trimmable end detail.

He was WTCA Hall of Fame inductee in 2001.

WTCA announced the latest addition to its online catalog: the Wood Design Package of the National Design Specification for Wood Construction ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005.

WTCA will now have a direct voice in the development of the 2010 edition.

The study was later recreated in 2015, where similar results were reported.