I first saw surface mount parts in a camcorder viewfinder - flea market find - I picked up in 1985 or 1986. I don't think I even read about them until the 90s

I first saw surface mount parts in a camcorder viewfinder - flea market find - I picked up in 1985 or 1986. I don't think I even read about them until the 90s otherwise. I was surprised the first time I found out how far back they went. There must have been a huge chicken-and-egg problem involved in bringing them to the mainstream.