This is a 1965 built house. I see this unsheathed wiring now and then in attics and garages, where the wiring is visible. Yes, it’s not safe, as is the light socket connection. It is of the time of two wire cable and ungrounded outlets. My question, what is the history of this type of wiring. Why do I see it in this vintage home? It’s not from the days of knob & tube, because the house was much later built.
Existing knob and tube is still a recognized and permitted wiring method. Open conductors like what is shown in your photo is not knob and tube and was never permitted to be installed as depicted.
