Since another thread on this General Audio Discussion forum has breached the topic, here are links to a two page treatment of the history of Hi Fi with interesting graphic chronologies included.
Thank you to Ian for turning me on to this fascinating fellow.
http://www.nutshellhifi.com/library/tinyhistory1.html
http://www.nutshellhifi.com/library/tinyhistory2.html
1945-1967 seems to be the original era, but we seem to be in a new flowering what with SET gear and all. Feels like it to me, anyway. I imagine Steve Schell may have some thoughts on all this.
Clark in Peoria, where Hi Fi carries on in its own small way...