Brewed my first batch when I was 17, with my older brother, in 1978. It was good then and I think I've managed to get a little better over the years. Experience plays a role with homebrewers getting better, but since 1978, ingredients, both in quality and different types available (i.e., no such thing as liquid yeast in 1978) has made a vast improvement with what can be done.
Idols such as Michael Jackson (RIP, and Cheers!, Mate) and Charlie Papazian deserve a huge amount of recognition for promoting Beer, Whisky, and Homebrewing.