When did this become the whole point? It certainly was not the point in the first usage of half step gearing, at least from the race point of view, I don't know about a touring point of view. Typical front rings were 51/48 or 52/49. The back was 14/16/18/20/22. Racers used 6 gears through the 50s, 52/14, 52/16, 52/18, 49/18, 49/20 and finally 49/22.

When did getting 9-10 gears, crossing chaining in the process, become the vogue?