I heard some of Paganini's caprices recorded back in the 30's or 40's , and they were slower than they are played nowadays (I'm talking about violins of course).
And I'm pretty sure that Paganini himself had to be a little slower than those 30's guys who were practicing his stuff day and night for years.

Same happened with electric guitars at different eras , but the evolution took place faster due to mass communications , recordings and so ... Early Blues & Rock , Hendrix , Page , EVH & Rhoads , Malmsteen & Vai ... And now , Michael Angelo , Rusty Cooley , Fareri & all other "Cyborg Machines".

That's how life goes on .... Evolution !