713: The CSS OG Eric Meyer. 1994 CSS, JS in Fridges, Tailwind, and Web Standards

This podcast episode with Eric Meyer delves into the history of CSS, its evolution from inception to standardization, and its impact on the modern web. The discussion covers various topics, including the role of preprocessors and frameworks in shaping CSS, the evolving landscape of CSS features, the challenges of browser consistency and interoperability, and the importance of collaboration and communication among browser vendors and developers. Takeaways • CSS has come a long way since its early days, with the standardization of CSS1 in 1996 and subsequent advancements such as CSS Grid and Flexbox revolutionizing web development. • Preprocessors like Sass and Less have played a significant role in driving the development of native CSS features, paving the way for advancements like container queries and nested selectors. • Browser consistency and interoperability have improved significantly over time due to collaborative efforts, rigorous testing, and the iterative implementation and refinement of new features. • CSS continues to evolve, with features like isolation, container queries, and AtScope garnering interest among developers for better control over style scope and alignment options. • The sustainability of open-source browsers like Firefox remains a concern, with funding cuts potentially impacting the future of web technology advancement; crowdfunding is being explored as a potential solution. • Digital tools and personal websites play a crucial role in the participants' work, providing valuable insights and communities for sharing and discussing ideas related to web development.