Gerald A. Hale (pictured) worked with students and his colleague, Holger G. Thuesen, to develop the world's first functional parking meter, which was installed in Oklahoma City in 1937.

The meter was first conceived by newspaper editor Carl C. Magee of Oklahoma City (seated at desk) who requested Oklahoma A&M College's engineering expertise to bring it to life. The meters were tested on a limited basis in 1935 when 145 were installed in a 14-block area in Oklahoma City. The money they raised for the city, while helping deal with the local parking problem, made them a big hit that started a nationwide trend.