In my experience it was more than 20 years ago that this happened. It was when most cars switched to fuel injection. Late 80s, early 90s. Treating a car as an appliance and having it 'just work' became so much easier when fuel injection was invented.
20 years ago was 2003, which is practically yesterday [in my mind...].
20 years ago was 2003, which is practically yesterday [in my mind...].