When did all the lumber shrink?

It’s literally always been this way

Not really, It was always the right size till the 60s.

Lumber has always been sold like this. It's the difference between actual and nominal measurements. Nominal - size of the wood rough cut (before being planed) Actual - size of wood after it is smoothed and planed.

"2x4" is the name of the board. The actual is 1.5x3.5. A board with an actual of 2.0x4.0 is rare. If you find one, nothing is going to fit, such as joist hangers:

Which is dumb.

Well apparently you aren't a diyer or work in construction. It has always been like this.

I need that tape measure

I’ve been working construction for 26 years and it’s always been that size. This is nothing new.

Shrinkflation is everywhere.

About 30 years ago. We haven't gotten true to measurement lumber in a LONG time!