Well, there's at least one C.F.Martin and Johann Stauffer (sp?) from as early as the 1830s with a clock key type of neck setting device, which I assume means it's mechanically attached, ie: without benefit of wood joinery like a glued dovetail or glued mortice. Also some builders actually used a wood screw in leau of bolt(s) to help stabilize the neck joint as glue dried and left it in after the fact.

Peace, Mooh.