Aeonian Brick Homes founder honored at invention trade show

A Summerville inventor has been lauded for the development of a highly durable and energy-efficient brick designed for use on exterior and interior walls.

Aeonian Brick Homes founder Don Blalock was honored at the Invention & New Product Exposition — known as Inpex — held June 16-18 near Pittsburgh.

Blalock took home the following honors from the internationally juried exhibition:
* Gold medal in the construction category
* Gold medal from the Malaysian Invention and Design Society
* Grand Prix award for best invention of 2010

The show attracts buyers from major corporations, investor groups and venture capitalists.

Aeonian creates an interlocking, compressed earth brick that, according to the company, is 2.5 times stronger than concrete blocks and can be used for exterior and interior walls — eliminating the need for drywall and wood in the home.

In effect, homes built from the material are more flood-proof and fireproof than other homes and can withstand winds up to 240 miles per hour, the company said.

Along with fire, water and wind, the energy-efficient Aeonian bricks are also barriers against sound and termites. The company says homes built with the bricks will be able to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification at the gold or platinum level.

Blalock has been a contractor for 35 years and has been involved in the research and development of the specialty bricks for the past seven years.