That's only because the materials and labor needed for them is far less than in the past thanks to technological improvements, plus economies of scale are gener

That's only because the materials and labor needed for them is far less than in the past thanks to technological improvements, plus economies of scale are generally better now (population is much larger: lots of consumers in other countries like China buying the same stuff). Take a look at the hand-soldered circuitry in an old TV or radio and it's obvious why those things were so expensive.