title: How were types handled without generics in ArrayList before java version 1.5
body: <p>I have a question about the history of Java.<br>
  Java has had <code>ArrayList</code> since 1.2.<br>
  Java has generics since version 1.5.</p>
  
  <p>How was the implementation of <code>ArrayList</code> without generics to define the type?</p>