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Straight Spokes
From WikiPedalia
Originally, spokes didn't have the elbow, and they were straight from one end to the other. They required a special type of hub, which was harder to manufacture than conventional hubs. Straight spokes are also harder to lace up, and tend to revolve when the nipple is turned.
The modern bent design supplanted"straight pull" spokes in the 1890's. Since no bicycle technology ever disappears entirely, straight spokes get re-invented from time to time, but have not met with much commercial success in the last hundred years. They are seen on some "boutique" wheels.
