The Lindy Hop became the national craze due to the influence of the big bands that played at the Savoy Ball Room in Harlem during the 1930’s and the entrepreneurial promptings of Herbert “Whitey” White.  “Whitey” hand picked the best dancers from contests conducted at the Savoy and contracted out crews of dancers to perform at high society functions downtown that were demanding to see this new phenomenon.  The Lindy Hop consisted of couples dancing in rhythmic tandem to big band sounds.  New moves were created daily and with the introduction of  “air moves” , the notoriety spread so much so that  it was shown prominently in feature motion pictures. 
Known in some circles as the Jitterbug, this high energy couples dance evolved into the Swing which was accepted by the white community and in the urban centers of the north, The Bop (Chicago), Ballroom (Detroit), The Hand Dance (Cleveland) as Jazz and R&B music became more refined and soulful.  The evolution of Steppin’, in particular Chicago style Steppin’, was greatly influenced by the Bop.  However, the smooth style and adherence to the beat is reminiscent of couples dancing practiced in most major cities in America.