[PaulDavisThe1st]

Back in the early-mid 80s, we used to race on MTBs with quick release on the seatpost clamp, and precisely the right lube to make sure the seat would drop on demand. That didn't deal with the "how do get it back up to the regular height", but before the 90s rolled around there were already several spring-based solutions to that. Dropper posts work better, but they are not a new idea.