Overview of HTML evolution and versions
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) was created by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in the late 1980s/early 1990s to allow researchers to share documents via a network of interconnected links. It evolved from a simple markup language for basic structure into a complex standard for modern web applications.
Key versions include:
- HTML 1.0 (1991): The first official version, providing basic headings, paragraphs, lists, and links.
- HTML 2.0 (1995): Standardized features already in common use.
- HTML 3.2 (1997): Added support for tables, scripts, and presentation styles.
- HTML 4.0 (1997/1999): Introduced the critical separation between content (HTML) and presentation (CSS).
- HTML5 (2014): A major revision introducing semantic tags, native multimedia support (audio/video), graphics (canvas, SVG), and improved support for complex web applications and mobile devices.