Philip E. Rollhaus Jr.; Founded Firm That Makes Safety Devices

Philip Edward Rollhaus Jr., 66, the founder, chief executive and chairman of Quixote Corp., died July 31 of cancer at his Palm Beach, Fla., home.

Rollhaus founded Energy Absorption Systems in 1969. He developed the company’s patented highway cushions, which are designed to protect cars in crashes.

The holding company changed its name to Quixote in 1969 to reflect its interests in optical discs and court-reporting machines. A subsidiary, LaserVideo, which became DMI, made the first audio compact disc in the United States in 1975.

Quixote now focuses on highway safety: Its companies manufacture flexible signposts, devices to measure traffic flow and highway advisory radio systems. Rollhaus retired as president and chief executive last year but remained chairman.

Educated at Wesleyan University, he served in the Navy and then moved to Paris, where he started a research company and founded the Parnassus Review, a literary magazine.