To add to that, markup was intended to be semantic, not for layout, and the expectation was the browser would do the right thing to present it to the user. I t

To add to that, markup was intended to be semantic, not for layout, and the expectation was the browser would do the right thing to present it to the user. I think you are right that they are in that early mindset before browser decided to become pixel perfect typesetting engines. Why should I tell you how wide a <paragraph> should be?!? Browser knows best if it's on a small monitor, big monitor, phone, etc. Sigh.