In 1913, Carl Fisher proposed a coast-to-coast rock highway, and automobile and tire industry executives quickly joined the effort to put America on wheels. At the inaugural meeting on July 1, 1913, newly elected president Henry Joy proposed dedicating the highway to Abraham Lincoln, creating a cause that Americans nationwide could support. A highly successful marketing campaign persuaded the public and eventually the federal government that better roads were needed, and the Road Act of 1916 provided seed money for road improvement. The Federal Highway of 1921 reflected the need for an interstate road network and provided $75 million to state highway departments. The Lincoln Highway became the most famous road in America and stood as the first successful all-weather coast-to-coast automobile highway, answering growing demand for better driving conditions in the early 20th century as the automotive industry expanded. In Illinois, its 179-mile route linked scenic communities and became the first paved road in the state, and this portion is the only section of the highway to receive National Scenic Byway designation.