In the 1880's ball bearings started to be used for the pedals and wheel hubs, as well as for the head tube that permitted front wheel direction to be changed. Some diagrams show this innovation.

A ball bearing rear hub and an 1887 New Mail "Trigwell"
ball bearing head tube.
From: Adams, "Antique Bicycles," TAB Books (1981)

These designs lack the refinement of later components but employ the same method for reducing rotational resistance.