Originally Posted by
bikemig
I'm suspect that front panniers were around in the late 70s, but they were popularized by Jim Blackburn I believe in the first half of the 80s.
The memories in this thread are specific to the modern-era American bike scene - NTTAWWT.
Here's cycletourist Victor Franco doing it French style while making a big loop of North America in
1950:
Certainly a rarity in NA until bikemig's mentioned time frame. My 1974
Two Wheel Travel Bicycle Camping and Touring list only Karrimor
front rack and panniers.