The Interesting and Somewhat Strange History of Runways

Polo fields and dirt were the ingredients of the first runway, and even when you die, the runway still can run you over.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 01:18 PM ET

Verified

Ford Field in Dearborn Michigan was home to the first concrete runway. [Courtesy: Paul Freeman]

Key Takeaways:

Runways evolved from simple dirt or grass fields, largely driven by the U.S. Post Office's early airmail needs, with designs adapting to accommodate wind direction and progressing to concrete surfaces.
Many early airports were established on the outskirts of towns, leading to eventual urban encroachment and ongoing conflicts with surrounding communities over noise and land use.
Airport expansion projects frequently involved significant land acquisition, sometimes leading to controversial relocations of graves or the repurposing of historic and former military runways.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of special series spotlighting runways: April 18: America’s Longest Runways | America’s Shortest Runways | April 19: 11 Fun Facts About Runways | April 20: Self-healing Concrete and How It Can Save Runways | April 21: FLYING Explained: How Do You Read Airport Markings and Signage | Runway History | April 22: Remembering Meigs Field

Ever since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903, airplanes have needed a place to take off and land safely. Hence, the need for a runway was born, though it would take several years for the concept to fully take shape and even longer to take the form we’re used to today.