nat, at least you got cable in the early 90's!
I was using aerial antenna for the entire time I lived with my parents.
When I moved to California, I had to climb on top of my roof and dismantle an aerial antenna (I felt sad, as if it were the end of an era...even though I never personally used the aerial antenna in California).
Rich folks had motorized aerial antennas, back in the day. A little dial on a small box inside your home controlled a motorized antenna to achieve maximum reception. I never had this, but I still think it is kool.