The 707 and 720 did not have a link between the rudder pedals and the nosewheel steering. On those first generation jet airliners the captain did use the tiller to steer until reaching 80 knots, at which time the rudder would be effective. Beginning with the 727, and all subsequent Boeing models, there was a link to the nosewheel steering through the rudder pedals. The tiller was no longer held, but the 80 knot callout remained, for all of those reasons mentioned in previous posts.