Enhancement has *always* been here
You think back in the day of paper and chemicals, there wasn't a whole library of techniques to "enhance" photos? Unsharp mask for example, refers to an old technique done in darkrooms -- as indeed many of photoshops functions mimic standard photo techniques. Plus you could always airbrush and retouch a print. And of course the most basic point is starting with rolls and rolls of shots to select from.
Obviously you can do crazier stuff and do it much more quickly now, but if 40 years ago an editor said, "Get me a photo of JBJ that makes him look like a zombie", I have no doubt the photo dept could have complied.