The peak of inflated expectations was the Saturn V. Custom built, massive, cost around $10,000/lb in present day dollars to low earth orbit.
The trough of disillusionment was the Shuttle. Much smaller payload capacity, trapped in LEO so it ended manned deep space exploration, and cost around $50,000/lb to LEO.
The Falcon Heavy is the highest capacity launch system since the Saturn V, and will cost $1,000/lb to LEO. I think the plateau of productivity approaches.
The trough of disillusionment was the Shuttle. Much smaller payload capacity, trapped in LEO so it ended manned deep space exploration, and cost around $50,000/lb to LEO.
The Falcon Heavy is the highest capacity launch system since the Saturn V, and will cost $1,000/lb to LEO. I think the plateau of productivity approaches.