The 1920 Ford Model T and the 2020 are seperated by 100 years. Early wooden wheels, adapted from carriages, prioritized simplicity but were heavy and fragile. Steel disc wheels introduced durability for faster cars but added weight. The mid-20th century brought lightweight alloys like aluminum and magnesium, reducing unsprung mass and enhancing handling. 

In wheel selection, there are many articles that talk about weight, construction and materials, but very few around the asthetic design and how it contributes to overall performance. 10 spoke designs are optimal, and a further variant of that design is the "split 5" which starts with 5 spokes from the hub branching into 10 to the wheel edges to optimize load distribution and material efficiency, achieving high strength-to-weight ratios.

This is really a case for the split 5 design as being one of the most ideal wheel choices: 

Load Distribution: A higher number of spokes, like in a 10-spoke wheel, distributes the load more evenly across the wheel. This reduces the stress on any single spoke, enhancing the overall strength of the wheel without the need for adding more material and thus increasing weight.

Material Efficiency: Split 5-spoke designs maintain the structural benefits of a higher spoke count (like 10 spokes) but often use less material overall. This design cleverly splits each spoke into two thinner ones, which can carry similar loads with less weight, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio.

Structural Integrity: Wheels must withstand various forces, including vertical loads from the weight of the car, as well as lateral and torsional forces during acceleration, braking, and cornering. A 10-spoke or split 5-spoke design provides a robust framework that enhances the wheel's ability to handle these forces while minimizing weight.