Originally Posted by
Centaurious
Was the 700c standard around before the 27" standard and we (americans) wanted an inch standard to match the rest of what we had? They are so close I wondered why have both?
No. These terms, 26", 27", 28", are nominal sizes and don't really have any bearing on anything. Note that the most common "28 inch" size is the same as 700c and is actually a smaller rim than a 27" rim. In the English speaking world they used to call tubular tires 27" or 28" wheels, or more generally "sprints." The original sales receipt for my 1954 Alvin Drysdale specified "27 x 1 1/4 sprinter tires" on "Vanzone rims" (sic). That is, Vianzone wooden rims with tubular tires.
What we know of as "27 inch" was a proprietary size introduced by Dunlop in the 30's in hopes of cornering the market for high end clincher tires.
I'm not sure when 622mm clincher rims and tires became available. By the late 40's for sure.