Weaver Laboratories, built in two stages in the 1950s, are named after David S. Weaver, often considered to be the "father of rural electrification" in North Carolina. He worked as engineer for the federal... Weaver Laboratories, built in two stages in the 1950s, are named after David S. Weaver, often considered to be the "father of rural electrification" in North Carolina. He worked as engineer for the federal Rural Electrification Administration before becoming head of NC State's Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering in 1937, a post he held until 1948. In 1950, he succeeded Ira Obed Schaub (Schaub Hall) as director of the Agricultural Extension Service and served until 1961.