Curious question and difficult to answer as each of these designs evolved over time .
For instance the ancient greeks had topbar hives made out of clay .
Perone hives come in two forms as the inventer Oscar Perone changed his hive in responce to earthquakes and as far as I am aware he is still alive and who knows he may appear with a third form
Warrés book "beekeeping for all" had 12 editions and slight changes were made to his plans each time over thirty years . ( he died in the 1951 ) In the UK and USA there is a tendancy to build them from the 5th edition of the book whilst in france from the twelth edition with half frames .
Even the Nazis had their own hive - ( dont bother I am advised it was possibly the worst hive ever built even more difficult to make than a WBC and more parts than a Toyota pickup )
So why did you ask ?
David
Living in Anjou , France,
For the many not for the few
http://www.permies.com/t/80/31583/projects/Permie-Pennies-France#330873