This change in attitudes was dramatised in 1985's Back To The Future.

  Doc Brown (from 1955)

        (Inspects the failed circuit)
    "Unbelievable that this little piece
    of junk could be such a big problem."
              (Turns it over)
    "No wonder this circuit failed, it
    says made in Japan."

  Marty (from 1985)

    "What do you mean doc, all the best
    stuff is made in Japan."

  Doc Brown

    "Unbelievable."