Don Melton helped shape some of the most influential experiences of the modern web, from his work on Mozilla at Netscape to leading efforts behind WebKit and Safari at Apple. Known affectionately as “gramps,” his career reflects a rare ability to move between large-scale technology projects and personal experiments driven purely by curiosity.
After years of building foundational software, Don shifted his focus toward video encoding and independent exploration. His journey reveals the value of staying curious, embracing reinvention, and finding creative satisfaction beyond traditional definitions of success in technology.
In this episode:
- Building the foundations of modern web experiences through Mozilla, WebKit, and Safari
- Moving from major technology roles into independent creative exploration
- Finding new challenges through video encoding and personal projects
- The importance of curiosity after decades of technical achievement
Topics: software development, web technology, browser development, video encoding, creative reinvention
Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
