2006-09-14 17:24:05 · 17 answers · asked by Janet C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The same reason as a petrol mower that doesn't mow petrol!
2006-09-16 00:10:07 · answer #1 · answered by Tammi J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam because the original units were steam powered. These predate diesel or gasoline engines. Steam rollers actually came well before the automobile. They were used to compact the material on road ways causing them to be more durable and wear better.
Roller because of the heavy rollers used to compact the material.
Actually, 'steamroller' is just a common term that has carried through the language. Professionals in the industry using this equipment would not call them a steam roller. Today they were techinically road rollers, roller compactors or simply compactors. There are a wide variety of rollers used for the different materials.
When I was a kid, I thought they were steam rollers, since asphalt rollers often can be seen with 'steam' coming off the rollers. But that is just not true.
2006-09-15 16:17:57 · answer #2 · answered by Mack Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first compactors were modified steam farm tractors on which the wheels had been replaced with iron rollers for compacting clay, gravel, or asphalt pavement. This practice dates to about the mid 1880s.
The equivalent machine now is technically called a "compactor," and most are diesel powered. Don't stick your foot under one just to see how it feels.
2006-09-14 17:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because "Steam powered road rolling tarmac compacting vehicle" was too long for anyone to say and the shorten version stuck even after they stopped using steam
2006-09-15 06:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by xpatgary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So love this question! They were machines powered by a steam system , and they rolled or compacted tarmac for new roads, - and why is it even bothering your head? well wishes
2006-09-14 17:45:22 · answer #5 · answered by william john l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is a machine powered by steam.
2006-09-16 06:25:34 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first such machines were steam-powered, as were tractors a long time ago.
2006-09-14 17:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they started with horses, and had to differentiate between horse powered rollers and the new-fangled steam driven rollers
2006-09-15 09:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by bo nidle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it used to be powered by steam so there ya go. Like a gas car..., lol
2006-09-14 17:27:38 · answer #9 · answered by Amy >'.'< 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they rolled and were at a time powered by steam
2006-09-14 17:27:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋