CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), introduced in 1996, revolutionized how websites are designed and created. Over the years, it has become an essential part of modern web design.
In August 2024, Adam Argyle, Chrome CSS Developer Advocate at Google, launched a project to create a new official logo, highlighting CSS's growth and relevance. The design process was open to the global community, inviting submissions and ideas for consideration.
After months of entries and voting, a final design by Javier Aguilar was chosen. On November 12, 2024, the new official CSS logo was revealed, featuring a striking purple design.
Far from being a random aesthetic choice, this color represents love, loss, and the enduring connections that bind us all.
If you’ve never heard the story behind the color #rebeccapurple, let me explain why it’s so special and a reminder of humanity within the tech world.
Who is Eric Meyer?
To understand the importance of #rebeccapurple, we must start by talking about Eric Meyer. A prominent figure in the web development community, his work with CSS has shaped how developers create websites. His books, Eric Meyer on CSS and CSS: The Definitive Guide, remain essential resources in web design education.
However, Eric’s influence goes beyond his technical expertise. He is known for his generosity, humility, and dedication to accessibility. Yet, it’s not just his professional achievements that define him—it’s the profound humanity he brought to the web community while facing personal tragedy.
The Origin of #rebeccapurple
In 2014, Eric’s life took a heartbreaking turn when his daughter, Rebecca Alison Meyer, passed away at the age of six. She loved the color purple, a shade that was always with her.
To honor her memory, a proposal was made to name a color in the CSS palette after Rebecca. The CSS Working Group and the web community supported the idea.
As a result, developers can use the name #rebeccapurple in their CSS, instead of its hexadecimal equivalent, #663399:
p {
color: rebeccapurple;
}
Today, all modern web browsers support it.
A United Community
This proposal deeply resonated with the web development community. In a field known for precision and logic, the community showed its heart through this collective act of empathy. Developers and designers worldwide embraced the idea, moved by Rebecca’s story and Eric’s courage in sharing his grief.
Tab Atkins Jr., co-editor of the CSS Color Module Level 4, noted that this was the first time a color in the CSS specification was named in honor of a person.
Ten years later, we still remember Rebecca, and the selection of her color for the new CSS logo confirms its ongoing significance.
A Symbol of Connection
The impact of #rebeccapurple extends beyond its use in web development. It has become a powerful symbol of connection, illustrating how personal stories can shape even the most technical domains.
Today, #rebeccapurple appears in many tutorials and educational materials, teaching not only CSS mechanics but also the importance of community, empathy, remembrance, and the human stories that shape the web.
In a world dominated by screens and technical challenges, it’s a reminder that behind every line of code are people: people with lives, families, and stories.
It’s a story I didn’t know before, but one I found important to share. 💜
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