Siping is actually a very old technique. It is typically used in boat shoes. Check out a pair of Sperry’s. Same thing but it is done analog with a hot set of blades pressed into the fresh rubber. It is great for traction on smooth, wet surfaces because it creates so many teeth when it flexes. On dry land like concrete it tends to braid faster because of all the small contact patches, not to mention it adds cost. It is really cool though. I’m not sure how far it goes back. Decades.