Incredible, Lostandfound!
Well, of course, anointed brothers going overtime is totally believable. Your first-hand information is very much appreciated and testimony to the fact "you had to be there"! A now elderly born-in told me that Watchtower studies used to go on for hours. That had to be quite early on, I figure.
Remembering Brother Knorr, in particular, I have to say that, unless you were at Gilead graduation of 1972, you would never have heard this about the then-developing elder arrangement: 'We're going to try it out here [at Bethel] to see if it works.' -- A paraphrase of what he said, as close as I can recollect.
As the new arrangement unfolded, there were lots of bumps in the road.
THANK YOU!