In North America, as far as I know there are a few modular standards at different sizes, so definitely not new as a concept. For small things like Ethernet, USB

In North America, as far as I know there are a few modular standards at different sizes, so definitely not new as a concept. For small things like Ethernet, USB, and coaxial there is the keystone standard which is common and very cheap [0], and for larger things like switches there are standardized rectangular "gangs" that fit larger modules, including keystone plates. 0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_wall_plate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_wall_plate