During the Victorian era, London faced an overwhelming noise pollution problem. The iron-shod hooves of over 300,000 horses and the steel-rimmed wheels of hansom cabs and omnibuses clattered relentlessly against granite cobblestones, creating a deafening racket that disrupted business, courtrooms, and daily life. City engineers turned to an unexpected solution: Australian hardwoods like jarrah and karri, as well as softwoods treated with coal-tar creosote.
These wooden blocks were laid end-grain up on a solid concrete foundation and sealed with pitch. Wood offered remarkable benefits over stone. Most importantly, it absorbed vibration and dramatically reduced street noise, transforming chaotic thoroughfares like Regent Street and Oxford Street into manageable environments.
Additionally, wood provided superior traction for horses, reducing dangerous slips on wet pavement. However, the system had distinct drawbacks. Untreated wood absorbed horse urine and rainwater, rotting quickly and producing foul odors.
Even creosoted blocks expanded when saturated, sometimes swelling so severely that they pushed up stone curbs and shattered nearby shop windows. Maintenance required constant attention, and wet wood became notoriously slippery for early cyclists and motorcars. Despite these challenges, wooden paving remained widely used in major cities worldwide well into the early 20th century before asphalt and concrete permanently took over urban roadways.