HTTP was created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN to allow information sharing through hypertext. The first web server and website launched in 1990-1991. HTTP uses a client-server model with requests containing a start line with method, URL, and protocol version followed by headers and an optional message body. Responses contain a status line, headers, and body. Key concepts are persistent connections, caching, content types, and new versions that add functionality while maintaining backward compatibility.