Before the internet, how did everyone learn how to play guitar?

I'm forty one & I play bass in a punk band, Wichita. When I was twelve, I learnt the entire Rage Against the Machine Album (self titled) by ear. With the use of a sony discman. I lived in an isolated country place in Australia. Another great resource was recording music onto video casette. This played on Saturday mornings each week. There was also a piano in our home.