Seth Finkelstein wrote about the Torrington Star pedals:
Hey Folks: I've gotta put in a plug for Torrington Star pedals.The Stars in particular were the normal thing on a regular person's American lightweight bike from back in the teens(at least)until the thirties.Also, from early on,we had new Departure small flange fixed gear"track" hubs,rear and front,that used the N.D. cogs with large threads that won't go on a European hub.There was actually a bunch of kinds of American true sporting parts beyond what I mentioned,but these are the common ones. The Star pedals usually have half inch pedal threads,which was about standard over here"pre-war".Sears was stocking utility grade pedals with half inch spindles right up until about ten years ago.I couldn't find 9/16 there... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I recently traded for a pair of these, 9/16th", which was apparently the proper pedal for my '38 Paramount. Front edge of cage to back of cage is only 50 mm, so they look quite different from the modern ones, which (Campy) tend to be about 60. Very narrow, enough that would require different placement of the cleat.
harvey sachs
mcLean va