How did ADHD folks cope throughout history? What methods, stims, supports, etc do we think they used?

I was thinking about my phone and how I can live without it, but that it's an incredible tool for hyper focusing into or using as a distraction while doing something else.

I know when I was a kid, I used books to similar effect, but what did people do before that? How did folks who didn't have or couldn't afford books make their way? Were there professions that they were likely good at?