Some people start out their careers with dreams of winning their industry’s top honor, such as an Academy Award for movies or a Noble prize in literature or the arts or science.

Arthur J. Fox was contemplating changes to ENR during his first year as editor-in-chief. Noting that Aviation Week, another McGraw-Hill publication, published an annual feature entitled "Laurels for Last Year," citing individuals who made worthwhile contributions to the aviation industry, Fox felt construction could benefit from its own list of notables.