been *cast* onstead of *turned/Machined*? Everytime you thread one into a hole, you generate a nice supply of metal shavings. Not good. To get back on topic, when did this trend start? The IBM PC, PC/XT, and PC/AT used machined/turned fasteners. Lots of classic non-consumer hardware used various "captive mechanisms" instead of plain old screws and bolts. And how about sharp edges inside a chassis? Older hardware tends to have spent a little time in the hands of a whitesmith, who added lots of finishing detail like smooth edges that don't cut.