How and when was the concept of arrow spine developed.  For what bows was it compared with?

Chris, there are two types of spines...dynamic and static. Static spine is what you are probably asking about. It stays the same regardless of what bow you are shooting them from.  Dynamic spine can change from bow to bow and from shooter to shooter...according to how much much center shot your bow is, how long your draw length is, whether or not you shoot with fingers or a release, etc.
Static spine is measured differently for carbon arrows vs wooden arrows. There are several good definitions out there on the Internet for determining static spine from some of the carbon manufacturers.  If you can't find them I can copy and paste them for you. There are also several gurus on here that hopefully will see your post and explain it in sort of simple terms.

History:

James Duff gets credit for introducing the concept of spine to America and the term was first in print in 1912. The original English[and Duff] definition of spine was a measure of resilence, not stiffness. [YSA-May 1931-pg 12]

Dr. W. H. Dolman may have developed the first spine tester that mirrors the type used now, one utilizing the principle which is used by the Bureau of Standards in its machine for testing rigidity of steel bars. It was based upon 26" and 2 pound weight. [YSA-Jan 1931-pg 6]

Clement Parker produced a "commercial" spine tester in 1938, first I'm aware of. [ABR Feb 1938-pg 8]

The classic work "Debunking Spine" by Rheingans is from the May 1933 Archery Review.

The Classic "Spine and Arrow Design" by Rheingans/Nagler is in the June and Aug 1937 ABRs.

The Rheingans stuff was collected in "Archery the Technical Side[1947]"

Amber i did a quick search and found little info.  Where would be the best source to get some godd details?

Lots of information on the net under "arrow spine."

Many articles and debate on the subject in the old archery magazines...Archery Review, American Bowman Review and early Archery.

"Target Archery" by Elmer and "Archery the Technical Side"  are excellent older sources.

Related subject is "archers' paradox."