Backing up on rear suspension

I didn’t respond to the recent missive as I thought I would be swamped by hordes, correcting the assertion of Velocette having the first swinging fork rear suspension, maybe first with conventional suspension units, though air sprung. Velocette had to go to aircraft manufacturer Dowty for that, none being generally available, of course. I enclose a contemporary ad for Indian extolling the virtues of its leaf spring swing fork arm. It clearly states its inception was 1913. At that time, the USA had very few hard surface roads, a big incentive for the comfort it gave. The system did not have dampers as such, but the friction in a leaf spring gives a semi-damping effect.

They were not the first, however, with rear suspension. They were undoubtedly influenced by the innovative Flying Merkel triangulated rear suspension. The rear subframe was not rigid but swivelled at both ends to accommodate a hidden spring within the frame. The intent was to make it look rigid as riders mistrusted suspension (and unmanly front brakes!). This maker also used oil in the frame, beating BSA by 50 years. Motorcycle Mechanics magazine once had a quiz in which they asked what Flying Merkel was. One option I recall was the stuff that sprays off the lorry you are trying to overtake.