Yep, I belive that it is one of the steps along the way that an acronym becomes a word. Typical progression as I was taught:
S.C.U.B.A. --> SCUBA --> Scuba --> scuba.
I totally agree with this. Writing styles change with the times. I recently had to take a writing course and realized many things that are acceptable today would not have been acceptable back in the day. I still type with 2 spaces after a period...I know this practice dates me back to the times of typewriters! GASP!