Floor care and slip resistance has been fundamentally accepted for centuries. The advent of scientific investigation of specific interactions between flooring materials and traction is a relatively new subject, being pioneered by Hunter during the 1920's and continued by James during the first half of the 20^th century. This work established the standard utilized by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and eventually to the standard by ASTM D 21, the committee on Polishes. Continued scientific study, correlated with actual field experience solidified the importance of this work and established the benchmark for determining the static coefficient of friction of a polished surface, as well as creating a means for examining the relative slip resistance of other surfaces intended for pedestrian passage.