I was poking around the links on the FGG and found this interesting essay - with many cool shots of seriously old school fixies (I think - the pictures are a little blurry.)

At any rate, turns out that back in the day, biking was seen as a way to facilitate suburbanization, encourage sobriety, instill patriotism and help you save money.

http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/cycl...a/whycycle.htm