The same thing with furniture. Back in the old days when a middle class couple got married they would buy furniture that was really expensive but would last the rest of their lives, often longer. They would have it repaired, have worn out upholstery replaced etc.

Yes, labor was expensive in the world before the industrial exploitation of the 3rd world with the globalized economy made furniture/etc cheap. Buying things from Walmart rather just going down to the local artisans to get a hand build crib or whatever