In what version did implicit node pointers debut?

Hi folks,

In updating groff's Texinfo manual for its imminent[1] first release
candidate for version 1.24.0, I'm fixing some warts.  A colleague,
Alexis Hildebrandt, pointed out that it's no longer necessary in Texinfo
input to maintain node pointers (arguments after the first to a @node
command).  This is/was a huge ergonomic win in my opinion, but I can't
find a straightforward mention of it in the Texinfo NEWS file.

The closest thing seems to be this, from the entry for Texinfo 5.0.

---snip---
  . The old implementation accepted ``irregular'' sectioning trees.  Now,
    when @node pointers are implicitly determined, the consistency of
    @menu and the sectioning tree is checked.  (If node pointers are
    explicitly specified in the document, the tree can still be irregular.)
---end snip---

This use of passive voice doesn't tell me when implicit determination of
@node pointers became a Texinfo feature.

Can someone tell me?

Regards,
Branden

[1] Just waiting on my "Automated Upload Registration" to be processed.

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