[CR]Dates/history of Simplex dropouts, der. hanger, 4-speed der?

(Example: Framebuilders:Mario Confente)

Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 19:20:16 -0500
From: "Paul Williams" <castell5@sympatico.ca>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Dates/history of Simplex dropouts, der. hanger, 4-speed der?

Hi folks,

I have searched the archives and can't find answers to a couple of queries. What are the earliest dates for Simplex dropouts? Would they have been found on 1940s British bikes? What about Simplex 4-speed derailleurs? When did derailleur hangers become a feature of frame building? Also what about downtube lever bosses?

TIA,

Paul Williams "in a very frosty Ottawa, On, Canada"