What really happened was this...

Steel bikes were prevalent in the pro peleton, until about the late 80s. Riders, especially pros, started using different materials, mostly carbon, then Titanium, then aluminum. Aluminim and Titanium forks were too flexy. Steel was too heavy. LeMond was probably one of the first to ride a titanium bike with a carbon fork. Carbon forks started making their way to steel bikes. Both lightweight and stff, carbon forks took over the fork market.