44_aidlpg_plaque_at_foran_hall_1

44first_inflated_lowg

Dedication Year: 2004

Locations: Foran Hall, Plant Biology and Pathology Department, BioTech Center, Rutgers University and next to the first air-inflated double-layer polyethylene greenhouse one mile away from Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ

Plaque Wording: 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.