How did the primary goal of the 1888 Cushion Wheel differ from early 1980s full-suspension MTBs?

The 1888 bike aimed at rider comfort, while 1980s MTBs focused on tire contact and performance control.

There was a significant philosophical divergence in the intent behind suspension across nearly a century. The 1888 Cushion Wheel, built by Lewis Evans, was fundamentally reactionary, designed solely to isolate the seated rider from jarring impacts caused by poor road quality, making the experience more comfortable. Conversely, the early 1980s mountain bikes, exemplified by designs striving for off-road capability, shifted the purpose toward performance. Their primary goal was proactive: maintaining maximum tire contact with the ground during high-speed impacts to enhance braking ability and maximize cornering grip on loose, uneven terrain, thereby prioritizing control over mere comfort.