all aircraft only had hat racks until the 1970's - only for hats coats and maybe a slimline documents folder - no bags nor duty free or souvenir Donkeys from Majorca in the hat racks was allowed
your (small) carry on bag/camera or holdall went under the seat in front of you
all jets and prop jets like VC10 707 DC8/9 CV990A and Britannia Vanguard B737/727 1-11 Trident just had hat racks when first built
in about 1971 when the 747 came on line which had big over head bins Boeing developed a wide-look cabin for 707-727-737's and many airlines took this up to enable hand luggage to go in the new overhead lockers which on narrow bodies were not very big like today
many other airliners like 1-11's retrofitted overhead lockers
folk simply did not carry hand luggage like today, let alone pull along cases - you checked in your suitcase along with everyone else in those days
often the Baggage allowance on some jets was only 33lbs 15 kgs
today the airlines have reaped what they sewed in allowing so much cabin luggage inside the cabin - it causing delays in boarding and is inherently dangerous
beggars belief why it is allowed