As i understand it, open offices were the norm. I knew paralegals who worked in open offices before it hit tech offices. It also used to be that way in most offices before cubicles became commonplace (watch movies from the 40s or 50s which have offices as backdrops)

I think what happened is that as the work done in offices gained more value people who worked in offices were convinced that having your own space was more prestigious (by furniture companies, office space companies, etc.) so it became normal to move away from shared cattle pens.

Now shared space is being sold as collaborative so as to insinuate anyone not on board with the concept must be an uncollaborative sort of fellow.

I recall working in a high priced tower a place which made money, some people got proper offices, but most people got three foot beautiful mahogany desks side by side. Expensive desks but floor space was even more expensive.