Current (2005) Campagnolo 36 spoke hubs OK for 4x?

In article NsDlf.16674$Mi5.13385@dukeread07,
"Phil, Squid-in-Training"
wrote:

With
32 spoke hubs, a 4x pattern would be beyond tangential to the edge of
the flange, so you would get interference, but 36 would be OK.

Isn't "beyond tangential" essentially useless?

Yes, practically speaking.
Why lace spokes in a cross pattern at all?
1) To eliminate spoke wind up under applied torque.
2) To move the direction of the force the hub flange must
sustain; so that the spoke elbow will not tear away the
material out bound of the drilling.

Aim 1) is accomplished with 2x lacing.
Aim 2) is theoretically better met with a beyond
tangential lacing, but practically the near tangential
lacing is sufficient; hubs are built for tangential lacing
but mostly not for radial lacing.

--
Michael Press