Understanding Web Standards and The World Wide Web Consortium

The World Wide Web Consortium, commonly referred to as the W3C, is responsible for creating and maintaining the standards of the Web. These standards are designed to ensure that all web pages function similarly across every web browser, whether it's Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. This organization plays a significant part in making the World Wide Web a universal, accessible, and consistent platform for users and developers.

The World Wide Web Consortium was founded by Tim Berners-Lee, who is acclaimed for inventing the web. The W3C consists of member organizations from around the globe, together they work to develop standards which serve as guidelines for web design and development.

For practicality, think about HTML (HyperText Markup Language), a standard created by the W3C. HTML is the fundamental backbone of any web page. Without HTML and its standardization, every web page could potentially look and function differently depending on the browser used to view it. Besides, HTML standards implemented by W3C also make sure that the web remains accessible for people with disabilities.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript, two crucial web development languages, are also standardized by the W3C. These Languages help in designing web pages and making them interactive respectively, and their standardization ensures a consistent experience for all internet users.

Every few years, the W3C introduces updates to these standards like HTML5, CSS3, etc., to incorporate advancements in technology and changing user expectations.

However, it is important to note that while the W3C creates these web standards, it does not enforce them. Web developers and browser manufacturers are encouraged to follow these standards to ensure the best possible experience for users. The consistent evolution and development of these standards underline their significance in our Internet-dependent world.

In summary, and to answer the original question, "The World Wide Web Consortium" is the definitive body making the web standards. This responsibility is not held by individual companies such as Mozilla or Microsoft, but by a collaborative consortium dedicated to enhancing the Open Web Platform.