On March 19,1845 Edgar Allan Poe wrote about street paving. Here is an excerpt from his article (fifth paragraph):
“It is generally admitted, we believe, that as long as they last, the wooden pavements have the advantage over all others. They occasion little noise (we place this item first and are serious in so placing it as the most important consideration of all); they are kept clean with little labor; they save a great deal in horsepower; they are pleasant to the hoof, and thus save the health of the horse-as well as some twenty or thirty per cent in the wear and tear of vehicles-and as much more, in time, to all travellers through the increased rapidity of passage to and fro”.