There have been and are many, many similar no code or low code tools. And actually Visual Basic 6 still works.

What changed was the level of popularity and acceptance of those tools.

I think it comes down to trends and programmers psychologically subconsciously not wanting to be mistaken for users.

Because unfortunately what subconsciously is accepted as programming must involve colorful cryptic text. And if you are just dragging things around and setting parameters, you are not doing that, and someone might accuse you of being a user.

Not saying it makes sense, but that seems to be the explanation.

But look at WordPress, VB.NET, n8n, LabView, Unreal Engine, Houdini, Unity, etc.