I don't k now about the origin of bi-WIRING but bi-AMPING speakers has it's roots in pro sound where a signal could be split, before the power amps, and sent to each individual speaker, and equalized as needed. This is a valid approach and does produce fine results. In "the day" day we quad amped and had a computer handle the settings, and it worked wonderfully.
Naturally, this required separating the hi and low transducers and it became known in the consumer circles. [speculation starts here] As such, someone thought that simply using those same speakers and taking two wires from the amp output would result in a dramatic improvement in sound.
And, speaker manufactures having savvy marketing departments, realized this was deemed desirable by the masses. They decided to satisfy this burgeoning market by offering this as a feature. They found that by putting these "bi-wire" terminals, they now had a new market of those hoping for dramatic improvements in sound on the cheap. And, I'm sure the cable companies didn't have a problem with either.
Now, whether it works or not depends on who is listening but, one thing I've learned in over fifty years in this hobby is that many times, one hears what they want and expect to hear.
