Have you viewed a website from the 1900s recently? For example, starting in the 1990s, when the website was born?
The first website was launched on August 6, 1991, and everything changed since then.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane? Grab a cup of tea and your favorite snack, no matter what mood you’re in, because trust me – you’ll be laughing by the time this post is over.
1. The first ever website

Let’s start at the beginning, from square one.
Okay, okay, I’m done now.
But let’s be honest, it’s unfair to talk about websites in the 1990s without showing the first ones invented. By the way, It still exists online today. For archival, historical purposes, but still.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee was working on projects that would forever change the way our world works.
These projects are:
- World Wide Web: Berners-Lee dreamed that through this system, we – like people all over the world – could share information, communicate and cooperate on a decentralized open platform. The World Wide Web was the first Internet browser, but you could only use it on a NeXT computer — Steve Jobs’ predecessor to macOS, which sold for $6,500 in 1991. Not exactly a homeware item.
- Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): Berners-Lee A language for building and formatting web pages, starting with a few simple tags such as ,
and
. All of which we still use today.
- URL system: A URL (or Uniform Resource Locator) is a feature envisioned by Berners-Lee, similar to a physical address, whereby every resource on the Web is identified in a unique and standardized format.
- HTTP: HTTP is the abbreviation of Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is a communication protocol used to transfer hypertext files between Web servers and browsers. Simply put, it is a system that allows browsers and servers to share and display web pages.
We use all these elements of the web today. What would we do without the work of Berners-Lee and his many colleagues and collaborators?
The world will look a lot different, that’s for sure.
But as the first website ever launched, Berners-Lee’s website on August 6, 1991 set the standard for all websites that decade.
Especially in the first half of the 1990s.

2. Apple’s 1994 website
Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, Steve Jobs accidentally ate a box of crayons as a snack, spit it out, and used this as inspiration This is the homepage of Apple Computer, Inc. in 1994.
Obviously just kidding. Moreover, Steve Jobs is not actually and Apple was founded in 1994, so we can’t blame him for this web design color disaster.
Also note that this early Apple website is displayed on the Mosaic browser, not the simpler World Wide Web browser.
Mosaic has two advantages.
First, it can display graphics and text on the same page. Exciting, I know. This heralded a new era of 1990s style, characterized by spectacular clashes of color and text.
Second, users could launch it on computers that were cheaper than those expensive NeXT computers—it was compatible with Unix-based systems and later Windows and Macintosh.
For example, standard Unix workstations (such as those from Sun Microsystems or Silicon Graphics), and later Windows PCs (such as Compaq Deskpro or IBM PS/2) and Apple Macintosh computers (such as the Macintosh Quadra).
In other words, like Mosaic itself, it has long been replaced by browsers such as Chrome, Safari and Firefox.
Rest in peace, Mosaic.
3. Amazon Books

Literally, nothing there is nothing-about This boring page It even bears a passing resemblance to today’s unstoppable Amazon e-commerce supermarket.
But I kind of like it, and here’s why: It reminds us that Amazon was once all about books. I like books.
Like any good bookstore website from the 1990s, the text on this page is long, pleading, and oddly sweet: Please come often! We think this is pretty cool! These are the books we love!
What a contrast to today’s pithy copywriting, isn’t it?
Again, I’m kind of obsessed.
4.Microsoft

Welcome to Microsoft’s World Wide Web Server, where you can watch a glorious sunset(?) covered in neon cyan text!
you can’t say This homepage from 1994 Because Microsoft doesn’t scream the 1990s.
Thankfully, it has long since expired. Browsing Microsoft’s current homepage is like a spa treatment for your eyes after viewing the 1994 version, which leaves its imprint on the retina in just a moment’s gaze.
5. New York Times

Of all the atrocities we’ve seen from the 1990s, this is by far one of the least horrific. The New York Times logo uses the classic font — or a version of it, but nothing more in modern times of This look from 1994.
6. Lego

Like many parents around the world, I have a soft spot in my heart for all things Lego related.
This includes This charming 1996 version of the LEGO website. I mean, look at that cute little Lego house that makes up the “This is Home” button. Yes dear! The background looks like a classic gray base.
Very precious.
However, one thing that really screams ’90s is the clashing, slightly scary alternating color scheme found in the page headers. I just want to go back in time and whisper to web designers, Just choose a color, Lego. It’ll be fine.
7. White House

Welcome to the White House Web Page, an elegant oatmeal-colored interface where you can learn how to “email” the 1996 presidential team. Oval Office staff were told to just say “email.” Even then, the term was widely used.
But it doesn’t sound that fancy. I get it.
And honesty? “E-mail” is suitable The vibe of this page Better anyway.
8. FedEx

Nothing gives you more confidence in FedEx’s shipping capabilities than an internet picture of a package falling off the face of the earth, amirite?
Sad news aside, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing 1990s websites I’ve ever encountered. It’s not that busy, the colors come together and everything is easy for my eyes to absorb.
I’ll call it a victory 1996 FedEx.
9. Ultimate StarCraft Link Page

StarCraft fans rejoice! This page from the 1990s It’s still running, which means you can explore as many Star Trek connections as you want.
At least, I think that’s the point of the page?
I clicked on some of the links and they left me feeling more confused than when I first landed on this mishmash of sites. It has all the hallmarks of a fancy 90s website, from clashing font colors to lengthy copy.
But, to Drgn Slyr’s credit, he has continued to do so over the years.
10. Berkshire Hathaway

There’s nothing like simple, simple, A 1990s style website with zero graphics, creativity or fun.
But that’s exactly what’s happening on BerkshireHathaway.com, a site that looks like it hasn’t had an overhaul since the early 1990s, but the content manages to stay up to date.
I was poking around on Reddit’s web design subreddit and found a link Actual archived version of the site from 1996. The situation above is almost the same.
You have to appreciate the simplicity of a website, boring as it may be. The page load time is very fast and I’m sure it’s very easy to maintain.
But aesthetically speaking, I wouldn’t call it user-friendly.
11.Heaven’s Gate

At first glance, the site looks like a fan site for a science fiction movie or something. Sadly, that’s not the case, and I can’t say anything snarky about it, because what happened to the 39 active members of the UFO religious group Heaven’s Gate is so tragic.
you can Jump down the rabbit hole here.
but Their website is a to-the-point dream of a 1990s aesthetic. it went to lisa frank,
Geographic cities and the mystical atmosphere of the early Internet.
Those neon colors. That starry sky background. Those bold, clashing fonts and chunky buttons.
If you haven’t read the farewell message on the page, it’s hard not to find it oddly charming.
12. Cool math games

Back in 1997, a woman named Karen decided to make a very psychedelic website dedicated to making math cooler.
Thus, Coolmath.com was born, and later my 8-year-old visited Coolmathgames.com almost every day In modern times, the mid-2020s.
Above you will find 1999 version Karen’s surprisingly super popular site.
Even though things look more modern now, there’s still a hint of Karen’s 1990s style contemporary website. The darker background, list-heavy format, and bright graphics give it a classic feel.
Honestly, that’s what I’m here for. And I don’t even like math.
What defined websites in the 90s?
Obviously, web design has come a long way, long Since the 1990s.
Here is a list of some of the features that made websites stand out in the 1990s:
- Neon colors and clashing background: Bright but often hard-to-read designs and web copy.
- GIFs are everywhere: A spinning globe, an “Under Construction” sign, and lots of animated clip art.
- table-based layout: Organize content in rigid, blocky tables.
- hit counter: Shows the number of people who have visited the website.
- Marquee text and flashing elements: Scroll or flash text for an extra nice touch.
- Starry sky or pattern background: Visually irresistible yet incredibly captivating.
- basic font: Only system defaults, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
- hyperlink menu: Text-only navigation with little design hierarchy.
Today, things are simpler.
Still, looking back at the chaos of the 1990s, you wonder.
What will web design look like in the 2050s? Will future writers chuckle when they look back at our oh-so-modern website?
Or will design trends regress like the clothing industry, with websites taking on a nostalgic 90s look?
Only time will tell.
Everyone, please stay tuned for the 2050 List article.
Over and over again.