Asphalt shingles were originally developed in the early 1900s as an alternative to cedar shingles. At this time asphalt shingles were similar to asphalt roll roofing, where a felt or cloth roll was coated in asphalt. Soon, manufacturers began to add slate granules for texture and durability. As the years went by and roofing technology continued to advance, there are now lots of asphalt shingle options to suit your needs. Below we have outlined the most popular styles of asphalt shingles available today.