Perhaps one reason for the change is also that finding cool and new stuff was "easier" 50 years ago. In my opinion all the low hanging fruits are already taken

Perhaps one reason for the change is also that finding cool and new stuff was "easier" 50 years ago. In my opinion all the low hanging fruits are already taken and in order to invent a new transistor you need more than just a few guys sitting in a room with little equitment.