I certainly had department store bikes as a child in the 50's and early 60's. They were typically Sears bikes with the obligatory coaster brakes, balloon tires, and frames suitable for use as a ship's anchor. Needless to say there wasn't much in the way of serious cycling culture at that time. My first adult bike was a Schwinn Continental. I don't really remember the year, but it was sometime early in the "bike boom".