Photo gallery

Butch and his daughter, Sue, in Hawaii

A turn-of-the-century engraving illustrates the composition roofing process.

The Dayton, Ohio, shop of Wetzel and Schriber (later Schriber Roofing Co.), founded in 1907. Hyman Schriber was a coppersmith from Latvia before coming to America.

H.W. Johns-Manville Co.'s roofing manual, copyright 1903, describes roof components and proper application procedures.

Charles Kirberg of St. Louis (now Kirberg Co.) poses proudly with his son in front of his new Model T Ford pickup circa 1923.

An example of "Barrett-approved roofers" in 1916. Barrett placed a great deal of emphasis on good workmanship.

Attendees at the 1938 URCA convention in St. Louis look calm despite the fact the association had, organizationally speaking, hit rock bottom. One executive secretary was fired and another hired during the meeting.

NRCA's board of directors meets at the Sherman Hotel in Chicago in 1952. Board members were paying $6 a night for a single room; $18 or more for suites.

Eero Saarinen designed the first building to use a single-ply roof: the Ingalls Ice Arena at Yale University, affectionately known as "The Yale Whale."