FWIW:
The use of "large cell foundation" was actually a reaction against the use
of unnaturally small cells, an idea which predated the larger cells.

[quote]
In intensive bee-culture, the question of cell size is of great importance.
It is inseparable from those of race-selection and of the improvement of the
capacity for egg-laying and accumulating stores.

About 1891, foundation with cells 920 to the sq. dm. was introduced into our
country. Beekeepers all adopted this size of cell. The experts of that time
believed that it was advantageous to produce as many bees as possible on the
least possible surface of comb. Thus there was a premature narrowing of the
cells, and at the end of a few years the bees were miserable specimens.

It was then that, to combat so harmful a tendency, I published an article in
Progres Apicole (June 1893) advocating the use of larger cells, as a result
of experiments duly described. I had experimented up to the limit of 750
cells per sq. dm. These sizes of cells were obtained by stretching
foundation. Mr. Auguste Mees subsequently made them by stretching the sheets
as they came off the cylinders, in 1893 to 1895.
[end quote]

from

THE INFLUENCE OF CELL SIZE.
By Prof. U. BAUDOUX, 
Rucher-ecole experimental de Tervueren-lez- Bruxelles. Belgium.

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