Although there are vim memes, the whole "Oh no, I'm trapped in the editor" problem with modal editors is certainly there for vi which begins in the 1970s.

By 1994 when I was first using vi, (not vim) the rather faded "cheat sheet" I was handed already had remarks about the need to teach beginners how to leave the editor. I think I went years writing :q! which isn't the fastest way out but does do what I meant.