Back in the 50's 60's and 70's we didn't have magnum rifles for the most part. Shot gun shells were 2 3/4 inch.
We didn't spend hours at the range as ammo was an expanse and best used to harvest game.
When products started showing up on the market to tame the recoil we bought the products.
When Money got more plentiful we shot at targets a bit more too so wanted the products that reduced the recoil.
Al