This was when they were first released. The intention was to make computing available to nearly everyone, regardless of income level, and this was a way to demonstrate how it was possible. By literally giving it away. As for the Pi itself, retail was $35.
My first Pi was a Zero. It came free with a PC magazine. It was taped to the cover. I think the retail price then was something like $5
Reminds me of getting a game CD in a box of cereal - might have been Pajama Sam.
Pi Zeros sell nowadays for 13 EUR. I don’t know when you got yours but it might be just regular inflation since then.
This was when they were first released. The intention was to make computing available to nearly everyone, regardless of income level, and this was a way to demonstrate how it was possible. By literally giving it away. As for the Pi itself, retail was $35.