"Age" has nothing to do with it, my dear.

Consider the current, universally (or at least "globally") accepted metaphor for the personal vehicle in it's historic context:

When the auto-mobile first appeared, around the turn of the 20th century, the dominant model was horse-powered devices: saddled horses, carts, plows, etc. The driver's control yoo-eye (UI / "user interface") was straps held in both hands - reins.

• Turn Left: Tug on the left strap.
• Turn Right: Tug on the right strap.
• Stop: Pull back on both straps (maybe also pull back on a friction lever on a wagon).
• Go faster: Snap 'em.

Doesn't sound like the conventional automotive "user interface" to me.
So - How did we get there?

In fact, early auto designers tried a variety of UI models (sticks or straps or handlebars) to allow control of the turning motion, acceleration & braking of the new machine. Ultimately, the system that really worked (i.e. gained popular acceptance) used a combination of other metaphors as well as "new", alien models.

Steering:	The "steering wheel" comes directly from the nautical model. (Arrrrgh... matey) Hardly an obvious metaphor. Large ships (small boats don't use 'em) don't really operate like land vehicles (the steering mechanisms are at the back of the ship) - and very few people really had any experience using a "wheel" to steer. Yet it worked and quickly became THE visual and practical metaphor for "driving a car".
Braking:	"Push on a pedal". This metaphor already existed in some of the more sophisticated horse-drawn vehicles, but was compromised somewhat by...
Acceleration:	Also "push on a pedal". No real existing model here. Exactly the same action for exactly the opposite purpose. And the control device is located right next to the acceleration pedal. Hmmmm....
Clutch:	Also "push on a pedal". This is a "pushbutton" function that eases the engagement of a geared shifting mechanism. Must be used in concert with the brake, if you don't want to stall the engine. Totally different purpose than either of the other two pedals, but employing the exact same control mechanism. Confusing...no?

We all remember - with fear, amusement and shame - exactly how horrific "learning to drive a stick" could be: Grinding gears, embarrassing kicks, jumps & stalls. In many ways, the current automotive interface was a confusing kluge of inconsistent - even contradictory - interface control models. Yet, as a global society, we learned them, accepted them and soon embraced them as a "norm".