What was in the noses of airliners before the weather radar?
(Source)

Externally, the Connie (shown above) had lights, with the red being the now obsolete passing light.

From the high-res DC-3 and DC-7 cutaways, all sort of stuff, from autopilot oil and air filters, wiring, windshield spray systems, to hydraulic reservoirs.

There wasn't one main object like there's now, nor was it completely empty. Its main aerodynamic function remains though.