SPFA Honors an Early Spray Foam Pioneer
Wayland Lenell Davidson AKA Dave Davidson (about 1963) with his early FF machine
I would like to thank the SPFA for honoring my father by selecting his photo to grace the cover of its 2023-2024 Membership Directory and celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Remembering the early spray foam pioneers is a wonderful testament to the history of our industry. SPFA is well known for its integrity in providing expert education, training, testing, and certification of spray foam applicators and more. These certified SPFA applicators will be in line to become the next generation of leaders for our industry.
A Little About My Father:
My father, known to most as Dave Davidson, was one of the earliest spray foam pioneers in the Untied States. I clearly remember the day he was introduced to spray foam. He came through the door of our home in a rush, very excited to share with the family his discovery of spray foam. He produced two Styrofoam cups, each containing a component of spray foam material. He poured the contents of one cup into the other, and we all watched in amazement as the foam expanded, rising over the top of the cup then stopping as it cured. “This product is going to change everything,” he announced. He explained to us the insulation properties of spray foam and how there would be a huge demand for it around the world.
A few years later, he formed his own company, applying spray foam on various projects all over the country. That was a feat in those days. He applied foam for government projects and a lot of big industries. I remember that he sometimes worked through the night to get bids ready. He often got phone calls late into the night, as well as the early morning hours, to problem-solve an issue on the job or trouble-shoot equipment. He was a man who was Laser-focused on his work and wanted his projects to be the best. To improve his performance, he obtained his pilots’ license so that he could fly to different states and manage his jobs.
The picture of my father on the SPFA cover was taken by Gusmer to promote their new FF-1600. He was so proud of this picture. In fact, the picture has been handed down in our family along with other precious family heirlooms. My father is no longer with us, but I know that if he could speak, he would say, “See, I told you that spray foam is going to change everything.”
Remembering all the Early Spray Foam Pioneers:
A big shout out to all the spray foam pioneers and long-timers who knew what it was like, back in the day, to solve problems on their own and figure out better ways of doing things, especially when there was no one to ask. Thank goodness we have professional organizations today, such as the SPFA. They are there to professionally educate, train, guide, test, certify, and point people in the right direction. Most early pioneers would have given anything to have had such an opportunity. We stand on the shoulders of those early spray foam pioneers. Let us remember them all! Again, my sincere thanks to SPFA for recognizing and remembering our early pioneers.
By: Jay Len Davidson
CEO, Spray Foam Insider