Almost entirely driven by the needs of assembly lines. A cruciform socket self centres and engages quickly - think air operated drivers suspended of balances in a production set up. Then try and use the Robertson square drives - you'd never get the square peg in the hole fast enough.
I knew about the history of cross head screws, its also covered in the link.

I'm talking about us, not industry, and more specifically wood screws.
Of course the last dishwasher and washing machine I bought were covered in Torx screws so perhaps when I said "us" perhaps I should have included industry as well.
I have bought Robby screws here before, Nettlefolds used to sell them but I've just found this site.
http://www.squarescrews.co.uk/If you have any large woodworking projects give them a try.