Originally Posted by
JohnDThompson
Mass produced aluminum bicycles have been available since at least the mid 1930s:
Klein's innovation was to make a welded aluminum frame, using oversize tubing (both to increase stiffness and to provide a larger weld area for the joint), and heat treatment of the frame after welding to mitigate the loss of strength the welding process causes at the joints.
I said that Gary Klein launched the first mass produced Quantum Pro bicycle. An aluminum bicycle, with an integrated headset. I did not say, it was the first aluminum bicycle...