[turretslug]

I get the feeling that it took a while for manufacturers to gain confidence in the ability of the solder alone to have the strength to retain components- it's arguable (and it has been argued in previous forum threads!) that even with point-to-point hard-wiring that the "secure mechanical joint" lingered as a practice long after improving soldering techniques (alloys, fluxes, preparation) had rendered it frequently unnecessary. Conversely, unsupported/inadequately supported heavy components (notoriously LOPTs) on cheap, flexy single-sided SRBP boards didn't help the reputation of the PCB.

Some early PCB construction even had a loop or hairpin formed in the lead against the board for extra annoyance. In all bent-over cases, things like a fine hollow-ground watch-makers screwdriver and fine point dental spike are your friend- suck/wick the joint as dry as you quickly can, then carefully pry the hot lead away from the heated joint.