Cross Wind gears were offered as an alternate to Level Wind gears as far back as the late forties for an extra price. Cross-Wind gearing increased the speed of oscillation or movement of the spool in and out to criss-cross the fishing line on the spool. Although this reduced the amount of line; it limited the risk of line binding. In the early fifties Cross-Wind gearing became the standard. Also see Planamatic for more information.