I was talking about the time before there were NO quote machines, EFTs, or any of the info you note available to the public or on the NET because there WAS NO NET. If that is too complicated for you to follow, I might suggest you try learning about that era before you pontificate about what you are obviously oblivious about.
As far as options, there were not even listed except on the over the counter market until they were approved for trading by the CBOE I think around 73.
Sorry about that but I do know of what I am talking because I experienced those times, sometimes profitably, sometimes not so much.
Someone posts an article about meme trading in 2021, and you decided to write a comment about the trading environment in the 1970s?
OK.
By the way, I bought my first stock in 1962.
Holiday Inn (HIA), ten shares, at $11 a share.