The people that are best with equations and problem-solving were always the ones who did the electronics, whether hobbyist or professional. Computers, too but

The people that are best with equations and problem-solving were always the ones who did the electronics, whether hobbyist or professional. Computers, too but mainframes were too big to own your own and do whatever you wanted to with it. So no computer hobbyists until computers became personal, and not that many until affordable, then no surge until surplus was available. Electronic hobbyists did not surge until surplus components became abundantly available after WWII themselves. There's always only been so many of these enthusiasts. Once Ataris and Commodores got popular mainly for gaming, I watched the promising young geeks and nerds who would have gravitated to natural science fields choose computers instead. In the early '80's it was easy to forsee this eventuality so I doubled down on natural science myself. Electronic hobbyists who build from components didn't dwindle to insignificance because Radio Shacks all over the US closed down, Radio Shack closed because there were not enough hobbyists coming along any more.