Cheap has been a factor for many years.

I'm not old enough to remember earlier

I remember along in the early 50's that the OK Cub engines were innovative at a low price and gained a good market share of the engines.

1957 was a great year for the Cox Babe Bee .049 came out at something like $3.49 and set the hobby world on fire. You could almost afford fly away free flights?

Also 1957 and the McCoy 35 Red Head Stunt came out for $6.95. Another big market share gain.

And cheap was around long before that.