The Presta is an older valve than most people think (being invented in the late 19th century), though its adherence was mainly in continental Europe for a long time. The idea behind the valve was that it would be an easier to use and faster filling valve than other options. It should not be confused with the Dunlop/Woods valve, a valve that was popular in Britain and other Empire/Commonwealth countries. Honestly, I've never seen a pre-war American ballooner with a confirmed original Presta valve tube. I suppose someone could have crammed a French carrier bike type tube (some of which ran about 2-2.5 inches wide) into an American tire shell because that was what they had on hand. It does strike me as unusual though.