Yes, shoulder pads have indeed gotten smaller over time. In the 1980s and early 1990s, exaggerated shoulder pads were a popular trend in fashion. They were designed to give women a more powerful and assertive appearance in the workplace, as well as create an overall bold silhouette.
However, as fashion trends evolved towards a more minimalist and streamlined style, so did the size of shoulder pads. Large and bulky shoulder pads began to look outdated and out of place in modern fashion, leading designers to opt for more subtle padding or no padding at all.