I have no idea when Centerpulls made their first appearance. I'll leave that to those here that really know bike lore. What I will tell you is that that there appeared to be a time in the mid to late 60's and early 70's when centerpulls were reputed to be superior to sidepulls by their very design. A friend of mine in the late 60's, who was the son of a wealthy neurosurgeon, was the first to have a fashionable road bike with Weinmans and butterfly wing nuts on the wheels. I was miffed that he should steal the thunder from all the rest of us at the school yard bike stand with his ultra fashionable bike. Two years latter I bought one bike with Mafacs to match his and do him one better in the fashion arena. The next year I bought an Atala with Weinmans. Weinmans seemed to be engineered with the same care and precision that one would expect on a fine automobile. They are not only beautiful and functional, but seem to be overbuilt compared to anything else I know of. They are at once Macho and timeless, if such a thing is possible.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl.