ORIGINAL: dick Hanson

Kris -others did reduce fins in spacing and thickness -also as noted earlier - the " old designs were iron/steel sleeved . then finned etc.. It is all evolutionary - very small fins is NOT revolutionary- many old c/l speed engines were setup in similar fashion.
The setup use by gas contemporary engines is basically the wider spaced /all aluminum /coated sleeve setup.
The intake ports also add to cooling -as does the incoming charge . The total radiated area - selected by each ofthe others , was likely based on lots of feed back from users -intentional or simply from burned up stuff .
The other guys are hardly obsolete / outdated etc.
they have their good points and you have your own favorites - -
If your choice was the "perfect choice" - everyone would promptly buy only the one brand .
A very unlikely scenario.
Have a cup of "nog" and unwind - -