WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. But how much do you know about its history, features, and community? In this article, we will share 20 anecdotes that will help you learn more about this amazing platform and its culture.
1. WordPress was born from a fork of b2/cafelog
WordPress was created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, who were users of b2/cafelog, a blogging software developed by Michel Valdrighi. When Valdrighi stopped updating his software, Mullenweg and Little decided to fork it and create their own version, which they named WordPress. The first version of WordPress was released on May 27, 20031.
2. WordPress is named after a friend’s suggestion
The name WordPress was suggested by Christine Tremoulet, a friend of Mullenweg who was also a blogger. She came up with the idea of combining the words “press” and “word”, as a reference to the printing press and the power of words. Mullenweg liked the name and registered the domain wordpress.org on January 25, 20032.
3. WordPress has a jazz-inspired tradition
WordPress has a tradition of naming its major releases after jazz musicians, as a tribute to Mullenweg’s love for this genre of music. The first release to follow this convention was WordPress 1.0, which was named after Miles Davis, a legendary jazz trumpeter. Since then, every major release has been named after a jazz artist, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone3.
4. WordPress has a mascot called Wapuu
WordPress has an official mascot called Wapuu, which is a cute yellow creature that resembles a raccoon or a fox. Wapuu was created in 2011 by Kazuko Kaneuchi, a Japanese illustrator who participated in a WordPress community event in Tokyo. She designed Wapuu as a way to make WordPress more friendly and appealing to the Japanese audience4. Since then, Wapuu has become a symbol of WordPress and its community, and has inspired many variations and adaptations around the world.
5. WordPress has a famous five-minute installation
WordPress is known for its ease of installation, which can be done in less than five minutes by following a simple set of instructions. This feature was introduced in WordPress 1.5, which was released in February 20055. The five-minute installation has been praised by many users and developers as one of the reasons why WordPress is so popular and accessible.
6. WordPress powers some of the most influential websites
WordPress is not only used by bloggers and hobbyists, but also by some of the most influential websites in the world. For example, WordPress powers The New York Times, CNN, Forbes, TechCrunch, BBC, Time, TED, Spotify, Facebook Newsroom, Microsoft News Center, and many more6. These websites showcase the versatility and scalability of WordPress as a CMS for any type of content.
7. WordPress has a vibrant community of contributors
WordPress is an open source software that is developed and maintained by a global community of contributors who volunteer their time and skills to improve the platform. According to WordPress.org7, there are over 1,400 core contributors who have written code for WordPress, over 59,000 plugin developers who have created plugins for WordPress, over 8,000 theme developers who have created themes for WordPress, over 17,000 translators who have translated WordPress into different languages, over 1,100 support volunteers who have helped users with their questions and issues on the forums8, and countless others who have contributed in other ways.
8. WordPress has an annual event called WordCamp
WordPress has an annual event called WordCamp, which is a conference that brings together WordPress enthusiasts from all over the world to learn, share, and network with each other. WordCamp was started in 2006 by Mullenweg as a way to celebrate the WordPress community and its achievements9. Since then, WordCamp has grown into a global phenomenon, with hundreds of events taking place every year in different cities and countries10. WordCamp covers topics such as development, design, marketing
9. WordPress has a feature called Gutenberg
WordPress has a feature called Gutenberg, which is a new editor that allows users to create and edit content using blocks. Blocks are modular elements that can be added, moved, and customized to create rich and dynamic layouts. Gutenberg was introduced in WordPress 5.0, which was released in December 2018. Gutenberg aims to make WordPress more user-friendly, flexible, and modern.
10. WordPress has a philosophy of democratizing publishing
WordPress has a philosophy of democratizing publishing, which means that it strives to empower anyone to create and share their ideas online. WordPress believes that open source software, free speech, and a diverse and inclusive community are essential for achieving this goal. WordPress follows four core principles:
- The software should be licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which grants users the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software as they wish.
- The software should be designed for the majority, not for the minority or the elite. This means that WordPress prioritizes the needs and preferences of the majority of its users over those of a few.
- The software should provide users with full ownership and control over their data and content. This means that WordPress does not lock users into its platform or services, and allows them to export their data and content at any time.
- The software should make decisions, not options. This means that WordPress tries to provide users with sensible defaults and best practices, rather than overwhelming them with too many choices and settings.
11. WordPress has a code of conduct for its community
WordPress has a code of conduct for its community, which is a set of guidelines that define the expected behavior and values of its members. The code of conduct applies to all WordPress-related activities, such as events, forums, chats, social media, and websites. The code of conduct is based on the principle of respect, which means that everyone should be treated with dignity and kindness. The code of conduct also covers topics such as diversity, inclusion, accessibility, harassment, feedback, conflict resolution, and reporting.
12. WordPress has a REST API that enables developers to interact with the platform
WordPress has a REST API that enables developers to interact with the platform using HTTP requests. The REST API allows developers to access and manipulate data and content from WordPress using any programming language or framework. The REST API also enables developers to create custom applications and integrations that use WordPress as a backend or a headless CMS. The REST API was introduced in WordPress 4.4, which was released in December 2015.
13. WordPress has a plugin called Jetpack that adds many features and functionalities
WordPress has a plugin called Jetpack that adds many features and functionalities to the platform. Jetpack is developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. Jetpack offers features such as security, performance, design, marketing, social media, backup, analytics, and more. Jetpack also integrates with other popular services such as WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, PayPal, Stripe, and more.
14. WordPress has a theme called Twenty Twenty-One that showcases the latest trends and best practices
WordPress has a theme called Twenty Twenty-One that showcases the latest trends and best practices in web design. Twenty Twenty-One is the default theme for WordPress 5.6, which was released in December 2020. Twenty Twenty-One features a minimalist and elegant design, with pastel colors, custom fonts
15. WordPress has a website called WordPress.com that provides hosting and other services
WordPress has a website called WordPress.com that provides hosting and other services for WordPress users. WordPress.com is owned by Automattic, the company behind WordPress. WordPress.com allows users to create and manage their own WordPress websites without having to install or update the software, or deal with technical issues. WordPress.com also offers features such as domain registration, email, e-commerce, security, backup, analytics, and more. WordPress.com has different plans and prices depending on the needs and preferences of the users.
16. WordPress has a learning platform called Learn WordPress
WordPress has a learning platform called Learn WordPress, which is a free online resource that helps users learn how to use and contribute to WordPress. Learn WordPress offers courses, workshops, quizzes, and badges for different topics and levels of expertise. Learn WordPress also hosts events and discussions where users can interact with each other and with experts. Learn WordPress aims to make WordPress more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
17. WordPress has a foundation that supports the community and the project
WordPress has a foundation that supports the community and the project. The WordPress Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2010 by Mullenweg. The WordPress Foundation’s mission is to ensure that WordPress is freely available, distributed, and developed for generations to come. The WordPress Foundation also sponsors and organizes events, programs, and initiatives that promote WordPress and its values.
18. WordPress has a market share of over 40% of all websites
WordPress has a market share of over 40% of all websites, according to W3Techs, a web technology survey service. This means that more than two out of every five websites on the internet are powered by WordPress. This makes WordPress the most popular CMS in the world, far ahead of its competitors such as Joomla, Drupal, Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix. WordPress’s market share has been steadily growing over the years, as more and more users choose it for their online presence.
19. WordPress has a slogan that sums up its essence
WordPress has a slogan that sums up its essence: “Code is Poetry”. This slogan reflects the philosophy and the culture of WordPress, which values creativity, expression, elegance, simplicity, and beauty in code. Code is Poetry also implies that code is not just a technical tool, but also an artistic medium that can inspire and empower people.
20. WordPress has a vision that drives its future
WordPress has a vision that drives its future: “To democratize publishing with open source GPL software”. This vision was articulated by Mullenweg in 2014, as he explained the purpose and the direction of WordPress. This vision means that WordPress wants to enable anyone to create and share their ideas online, without any barriers or limitations. This vision also means that WordPress wants to uphold the principles of open source software, which grant users the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software as they wish.
Conclusion
WordPress is more than just a CMS; it is a platform that has a rich history, a vibrant community, a diverse ecosystem, and a noble vision. In this article, we have shared 20 anecdotes that will help you discover more about this amazing platform and its culture. We hope you have enjoyed reading them and learned something new.
FAQs
- What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
- WordPress.org is the website where you can download the free software of WordPress and install it on your own server or hosting service. WordPress.com is the website where you can create your own website using the hosted version of WordPress without having to install anything.
- How can I contribute to WordPress?
- You can contribute to WordPress in many ways, such as writing code, creating plugins or themes