- Published on
A Brief History of the HTTP Protocol
- Authors
- Name
- Alex Lee
- @alexjoelee
Developed by Tim Berners-Lee in the early 1990s, HTTP revolutionized the World Wide Web by facilitating the exchange of HTML-formatted documents. Operating on top of the TCP/IP suite, HTTP enables web servers and browsers to communicate, resulting in the seamless retrieval and display of web pages. Explore the client-server model, the evolution of HTTP versions, and the introduction of HTTPS for enhanced security. Join us on this journey through the pivotal role of HTTP in the growth and development of the Internet. 
"Old websites" by Brickset is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Key Takeaways
- The HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a fundamental component of the World Wide Web, allowing for the transfer of HTML-formatted documents.
- Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, created the HTTP protocol in the early 1990s.
- HTTP facilitates the exchange of information between web servers and browsers, enabling the retrieval and display of web pages.
- HTTP operates on top of the TCP/IP suite, which forms the foundation of the Internet.
- HTTP follows a client-server model, with the client (typically a web browser) sending requests and the server responding with the requested data.
- HTTP has undergone multiple versions, with HTTP/1.1 being the most widely used today.
- HTTP/2, introduced in 2015, aims to enhance performance and efficiency.
- HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is a secure version of HTTP that encrypts data for privacy and integrity.
- HTTP/3, adopted by major browsers in late 2020, provides extreme performance increases due to the use of UDP instead of TCP.
- The HTTP protocol has been instrumental in the growth and development of the World Wide Web, enabling seamless access to web content.
Introduction to the HTTP Protocol
The HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a fundamental component of the World Wide Web, serving as the backbone for the transfer of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) documents. Developed in the early 1990s by Tim Berners-Lee, a renowned British computer scientist, HTTP revolutionized the way information is exchanged between web servers and web browsers.
What is the HTTP Protocol?
At its core, the HTTP protocol enables the retrieval and display of web pages. Operating on top of the TCP/IP suite, which forms the foundation of the Internet, HTTP uses a client-server model. In this model, the client, usually a web browser, sends requests to the server, which responds with the requested data.
Role of HTTP in the World Wide Web
HTTP has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the World Wide Web. It has facilitated the seamless retrieval and display of web content, enabling users to access a vast array of information with just a few clicks. Without HTTP, the web as we know it today would not exist.
Early Development of the HTTP Protocol
Since its inception, the HTTP protocol has undergone several versions. The most widely used version today is HTTP/1.1. However, in 2015, a major revision called HTTP/2 was introduced to enhance performance and efficiency.
Moreover, HTTPS (HTTP Secure) emerged as a secure variant of HTTP, leveraging encryption to safeguard the privacy and integrity of data transmitted between clients and servers.
In conclusion, the HTTP protocol has revolutionized the way we access and consume web content. Its development and evolution have shaped the World Wide Web into the interconnected network of information that we rely on today. 
Key Features and Functionality
Client-Server Model of HTTP
At its core, HTTP operates on a client-server model. The client, typically a web browser, sends requests to the server, which then responds with the requested data. This model ensures efficient communication between the two entities, enabling the retrieval of web content in a structured and organized manner.
HTTP and Web Browsers
Web browsers play a crucial role in the HTTP protocol. They act as clients, initiating requests to web servers and rendering the received data into a user-friendly format. With HTTP, web browsers can effortlessly retrieve and display web pages, providing users with a seamless browsing experience.
HTTP and Web Servers
Web servers are the backbone of the HTTP protocol. They receive requests from clients, process them, and respond with the requested data. Web servers ensure the availability and accessibility of web content, making it possible for users to access web pages from anywhere in the world.
HTTP Operating on TCP/IP Suite and intro to UDP
HTTP operates on top of the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite, which forms the foundation of the Internet. This suite provides a reliable and efficient means of transmitting data across networks, ensuring the seamless exchange of information between clients and servers.
Over the years, the HTTP protocol has undergone several versions, with HTTP/1.1 being the most widely used today. In 2015, HTTP/2 was introduced as a major revision to enhance performance and efficiency. HTTP/3 is the third major version. Unlike previous versions which relied on the well-established TCP/IP protocol (published in 1974), HTTP/3 uses QUIC, a multiplexed (combining multiple flows) transport protocol built on UDP that is signifcantly faster than previous versions of HTTP. Additionally, HTTPS (HTTP Secure) offers a secure version of HTTP by encrypting data transmission, safeguarding the privacy and integrity of information exchanged between clients and servers. HTTPS is able to be implemented with any major HTTP version. 
"Tcp-vs-quic-handshake" by Sedrubal is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. The HTTP protocol has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the World Wide Web. Its key features and functionality have enabled the seamless retrieval and display of web content, revolutionizing the way we access and interact with information online.
Evolution of the HTTP Protocol
Versions of the HTTP Protocol
The HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) has undergone several versions since its creation in the early 1990s. It was initially developed by Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, to facilitate the exchange of information between web servers and web browsers. The protocol operates on top of the TCP/IP suite, forming the foundation of the Internet. The most widely used version today is HTTP/1.1, which enables the retrieval and display of web pages.
Introduction of HTTP/1.1
HTTP/1.1 has been the workhorse of the web for many years. It allows for the seamless transfer of documents formatted in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the World Wide Web. However, as the demands of the modern web increased, HTTP/1.1 started to show its limitations in terms of performance and efficiency.
Major Revision: HTTP/2
In 2015, a major revision of the HTTP protocol was introduced: HTTP/2. This new version aimed to address the shortcomings of HTTP/1.1 and improve the overall performance of the web. One of the key features of HTTP/2 is its ability to multiplex requests and responses, allowing for faster and more efficient data transfer. It also introduces server push, which enables servers to proactively send resources to clients before they are requested. These enhancements have resulted in significant improvements in website loading speeds and overall user experience.
Benefits of HTTP/3 QUIC
HTTP/3 over QUIC brings several benefits to the table. QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is a new transport protocol that can reduce latency and increase download speed. On the surface, QUIC is very similar to TCP+TLS+HTTP/2 implemented on UDP (source: https://medium.com/devgorilla/what-is-http-3-94335c57823f). HTTP/3 is faster thanks to a greatly improved handshake.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of HTTP that utilizes encryption to safeguard the privacy and integrity of data transmitted between a client (typically a web browser) and a server. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats and the need for secure online communication, HTTPS has become an essential component of web browsing.
Securing Data Transmission
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS, your browser establishes a secure connection with the server using SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocols. This ensures that the data exchanged between your browser and the server is encrypted and cannot be intercepted or tampered with by malicious actors.
HTTPS protects sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and personal data from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. By encrypting the data, HTTPS ensures that even if someone manages to intercept the communication, they won't be able to decipher the information. 
Privacy and Integrity with Encryption
Encryption is the process of encoding data in such a way that only authorized parties can access and understand it. In the context of HTTPS, encryption is used to scramble the data transmitted between the client and server, making it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the encryption key.
Additionally, HTTPS provides assurance of data integrity. This means that the data received by the client is guaranteed to be the same as the data sent by the server. If any tampering or modification occurs during transmission, the encryption algorithms used by HTTPS will detect it, and the connection will be terminated to prevent further data exchange.
Conclusion
HTTP has, without a shadow of a doubt, changed the world. The internet, cell phones, websites and content would not be the same way they are today if not for this protocol coming along and providing a universal path for high-quality interactive experiences. HTTP/3 has pushed the protocol to extreme performance, laying the foundation for years of new and powerful innovation.