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The concept of a pile for construction is credited to a Neolithic tribe called the "Swiss Lake Dwellers" who lived in what is now Switzerland about 6,000 years ago. They used piling, not for supporting heavy loads as we do today, but for elevation to protect them from wildlife.
The Romans often used piles, and built many structures, including buildings, homes, bridges, roads and viaducts on piling. The Romans built the first bridge across the Tiber River in Rome on timber piles in B.C. 1620. Homes in the cities of Venice and Ravenna were built on piles from B.C. 100 to A.D. 400. The Romans also built the first bridge across the Thames River in London in A.D. 60 on timber piling. The still excellent condition of piles used for the Circus in Arles (France), built in A.D. 148 on wetlands, can be seen in the museum at the site.
The modern age of wood preserving began in England in 1832 with the concept of pressure injecting chemicals into wood. In the U.S. the first treating plant was built in 1848 for treating railroad ties.
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