Kind of a history question, but when did applicators disappear from makeup?

Just wondering this because as a millennial I think pretty much the whole time I’ve been shopping for makeup, the vast majority of products, especially the big aspirational brands or products that got heavily marketed to us, they didn’t have any sort of applicator. Friends remember it the same way, including a couple who unlike me are actually good at makeup, so I don’t think it's just my impression. Like it was almost seen as unserious or tacky I guess?

But I remember makeup I saw *as a kid* (like that grown-ups were using) virtually all had at least something, including pretty high end brands like Helena Rubinstein. Recently I found myself with a couple of twist-up pencils that have built-in applicators, and I found them really nice - capped, synthetic or silicone, and even removable for thorough cleaning.

So, nothing like the crumbly sponge applicators I remember from mom’s & grandma’s etc, and even from my own first makeup as a teen. But as a whole, built-in applicators are so freaking rare out there. Then I realized I’ve actually seen other clever designs, like two-tier compacts for foundation so the sponge or brush isn’t sitting directly into the product. How come this sort of thing isn’t everywhere?

What do you guys think? And more importantly, is this just me, or do you reckon there’s a market there, like maybe for others who are sort of bare-bones about makeup? (because if so, then maybe that means we’ll see more soon!) (Also if you want to post products with nice built-in applicators, I’d love to see them!)