Throughout the course of this site and in particular this 'Fly Tying Page', there have been untold numbers of historical questions raised about tying in general, techniques, and patterns. I believe two of the best sources for the history of many American fly patterns was the Fly Tyer magazine from inception, which then merged into American Angler/Fly Tyer, up to about 2000. Almost as good was Fly Fisherman, also from inception through about 2000. If anyone has those issues you have a wealth of information. It's just too bad that the publishers did not develop a 'master index' of article titles in addition to a subject, author or name.
Allan